< blog | Reviving tradition: a journey to exceptional rosé winemaking

Reviving tradition: a journey to exceptional rosé winemaking

In the enchanting world of winemaking, innovation often stems from time-honored tradition, and the story of how a modest vineyard embraced the wisdom of ages past to craft their remarkable rosé stands as a beacon to this philosophy. SYV Buzz had the opportunity to experience the results of all this dedication and hard work recently at a pre-release tasting seminar with Stolpman Vineyards, guided by the visionary hands of Tom and Peter Stolpman at their new winery facility in Lompoc. Amidst this selection of wines, a rosé emerged — one of unparalleled allure — a testament to the artistic prowess of masterful winemaker Kyle Knapp, who fittingly deems each creation of the 2023 autumn release a resounding banger.

Tucked within the very heart of Santa Barbara's wine country, the Stolpmans reign supreme as cultivators of a diverse tapestry of grape varietals flourishing across their 220-acre Ballard Canyon estate. A devotion to nurturing nothing short of the most impeccable fruit has led them down a path to the creation of their estate rosé, a testament to their commitment to vinicultural excellence.

In 2016, a pivotal moment occurred when the Stolpmans embarked on a journey to procure vine cuttings of the venerable mourvedre grape. Originating from an historic northern California vineyard that traces its lineage to the halcyon days of the California Gold Rush era, these cuttings bore witness to the very dawn of San Francisco's grandeur, their essence intertwined with the very limestone that laid the foundation for the city's splendor. These time-honored vines, thriving upon this bedrock of history, held within them distinct flavors. Their legacy continues to thrive on the Stolpman vineyard.

And then, inspired by French winemaking techniques, the year 2019 was marked by a pilgrimage to the heart of that oenophilic haven, where a journey through the vineyard-laden landscape of France yielded epiphanies that would sculpt the very essence of the Stolpman's rosé craftsmanship. A highlight was an encounter with luminary winemaker Daniel Ravier, the maestro orchestrating the symphony at Domaine Tempier. A symposium of tastings unfolded, as a ballet of rosé vintages stretched across the spectrum, each sip a revelation. A decision to weave the enigmatic mourvedre grape into their rosé would breathe new life into their creation. With France as their guide and inspiration as their muse, another choice unfurled — a choice to embrace a longer sojourn during punching to amplify texture and evolution. The result? A transformation of flavors that resonate through the corridors of time.

The upcoming release of Stolpman Vineyard's 2022 estate rosé (74% grenache, 14% syrah, and 12% mourvedre) adds anticipation to the autumn air. This revival of tradition, blending historical cultivation and innovative aging, has created a grenache-dominant rosé with feisty back-up singers that gives one an excuse to rock and roll all night and rosé all day. Delicate pink in color, the 2022 vintage is now in full bloom with rose petals that dance on the nose and swirls of citrus and white tea leaves that awaken the palate, all interwoven into a clean, crisp tasting experience.

The curated tasting seminar, a true sensory opus, revealed an entire stage of flavors for Stolpman's other new releases as well: from the evocative viognier, the stately roussanne, the soulful grenache, and the hedonistic petite sirah, to a series of syrahs that truly redefine transcendence.

In a world where trends come and go, the Stolpman's dedication to history, their soil, and the art of winemaking showcases the beauty of patience, the allure of tradition, and the reward of thinking outside the bottle. Book your tasting engagement today.

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