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WINERY REFLECTIONS

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Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara County sits on California's Central Coast and is one of the most beautiful, diverse, and exciting wine regions in the world. Thanks to a rare transverse mountain formation that runs East/West from the coast Santa Barbara wine country experiences significant maritime cooling influences. A thick blanket of fog creeps over the vineyards almost every night, cooling the air and allowing the wine grape to retain all-important acidity. Close to the ocean temperatures remain very low throughout the day, rarely topping 70 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas, making coastal Santa Barbara surprisingly one of the coolest growing regions on the west coast. Further inland temperatures warm up significantly and allow for an entire new range of varietals to grown. While the primary varietals grown in Santa Barbara County are Pinot Noir & Chardonnay, everything from Cabernet Sauvignon to Syrah and even Grenache can grow successfully here. No where else on earth does world-class Pinot Noir grow so close to high quality Bordeaux and Rhone varietals. Not only is the climate special, but the soils in Santa Barbara County are unique as well. Large deposits of diatomaceous earth line the hillsides of Santa Rita Hills giving wines a distinct oceanic character, and unique oil-rich "Monterey Formation" is present as well. Limestone, sandy soil, and even serpentine and chert can be found here and are highly valuable for quality wine production. While Santa Barbara may have gained a majority of its fame from being featured in the movie "Sideways" it certainly has more than enough to offer to keep the serious wine drinker captivated.

Sweetzer Cellars

September 19, 2019
Sweetzer Cellars 2014 La Encantada.jpg

Spiced strawberry, pine needle, dried orange peel. Juicy raspberry, cumin powder, cranberry compote…

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In Wine, Santa Barbara Tags Sweetzer Cellars, Pinot Noir
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Sweetzer Cellars

April 12, 2019
Sweetzer Cellars- 2014 Presqu'ile Vineyard.jpg

Explosive bing cherry, lavender oil, fragrant pomegranate. Juicy strawberry, lush undergrowth, wild huckleberry…

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In Wine, Santa Barbara Tags Sweetzer Cellars, Pinot Noir
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Sweetzer Cellars

January 14, 2019
Sweetzer Cellars Huber Vineyard.jpg

Maraschino cherry, fresh lavender, pomegranate juice. Juicy boysenberry, peat moss, cranberry cocktail…

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In Wine, Santa Barbara Tags Sweetzer Cellars, Pinot Noir
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Sweetzer Cellars

November 5, 2018
Sweetzer Chardonnay.jpg

Poached apple, ground nutmeg, lemon meringue. Peach pie, golden straw, toasted coconut…

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In Wine, Santa Barbara Tags Sweetzer Cellars, Chardonnay
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Sweetzer Cellars

September 18, 2018

Sweetzer Rita's crown vineyard.jpg

Black cherry, candied violet, strawberry preserve. Smashed blueberry, Christmas spice, water logged wood…

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In Wine, Santa Barbara Tags Pinot Noir, Sweetzer Cellars
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Wild blackberry, worn leather, dark cherry pit. Red delicious apple, wild herbs, black licorice. A marvelously complex and concentrated eruption of blueberry, fig, and dark plum booms with dense yet delightfully juicy intensity as complicating impres
Tart blackberry, sage brush, wild cherry. Ripe strawberry, fresh wildflowers, crushed cranberry. A excitingly juicy and expressive fruit core packed with black currant, raspberry, and pluot writhes with tense and youthful exuberance while pronounced
Poached yellow apple, blooming jasmine, ripe mango. Peach cobbler, struck match, warm grapefruit. An irresistibly pure and succulent parade of Meyer lemon, pineapple, and brûléed pear playfully prances with incredible energy and expressi
Plush dark cherry, ground coriander, rhubarb purée. Juicy blueberry, forest floor, cranberry preserves. An intriguingly lifted and layered display brimming with tart blackberry, strawberry, and orange zest booms with incredibly high toned and
White raspberry, crushed rocks, grapefruit zest. Rainier cherry, rose water, mirabelle plum. Strikingly dainty and delicate waves of red pear, lemon, and nectarine lead a pure and wonderfully pretty attack that comes across as tart and crisp while al
Wild blackberry, worn leather, dark cherry pit. Red delicious apple, wild herbs, black licorice. A marvelously complex and concentrated eruption of blueberry, fig, and dark plum booms with dense yet delightfully juicy intensity as complicating impres Tart blackberry, sage brush, wild cherry. Ripe strawberry, fresh wildflowers, crushed cranberry. A excitingly juicy and expressive fruit core packed with black currant, raspberry, and pluot writhes with tense and youthful exuberance while pronounced Poached yellow apple, blooming jasmine, ripe mango. Peach cobbler, struck match, warm grapefruit. An irresistibly pure and succulent parade of Meyer lemon, pineapple, and brûléed pear playfully prances with incredible energy and expressi Plush dark cherry, ground coriander, rhubarb purée. Juicy blueberry, forest floor, cranberry preserves. An intriguingly lifted and layered display brimming with tart blackberry, strawberry, and orange zest booms with incredibly high toned and White raspberry, crushed rocks, grapefruit zest. Rainier cherry, rose water, mirabelle plum. Strikingly dainty and delicate waves of red pear, lemon, and nectarine lead a pure and wonderfully pretty attack that comes across as tart and crisp while al