Top 100 wines of Santa Ynez Valley

Discover the top 100 best wines of Santa Ynez Valley of Central Coast as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the wines that are popular of Santa Ynez Valley and the best vintages to taste in this region.

Discovering the wine region of Santa Ynez Valley

The wine region of Santa Ynez Valley is located in the region of Santa Barbara County of California of United States. We currently count 227 estates and châteaux in the of Santa Ynez Valley, producing 839 different wines in conventional, organic and biodynamic agriculture. The wines of Santa Ynez Valley go well with generally quite well with dishes .

Discover the grape variety: Cabernet franc

Cabernet Franc is one of the oldest red grape varieties in Bordeaux. The Libourne region is its terroir where it develops best. The terroirs of Saint-Emilion and Fronsac allow it to mature and develop its best range of aromas. It is also the majority in many blends. The very famous Château Cheval Blanc, for example, uses 60% Cabernet Franc. The wines produced with Cabernet Franc are medium in colour with fine tannins and subtle aromas of small red fruits and spices. When blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it brings complexity and a bouquet of aromas to the wine. It produces fruity wines that can be drunk quite quickly, but whose great vintages can be kept for a long time. It is an earlier grape variety than Cabernet Sauvignon, which means that it is planted as far north as the Loire Valley. In Anjou, it is also used to make sweet rosé wines. Cabernet Franc is now used in some twenty countries in Europe and throughout the world.

Food and wine pairing with a wine of Santa Ynez Valley

wines from the region of Santa Ynez Valley go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, lamb or veal such as recipes of venison stew with red wine, oriental lamb skewers or veal meatballs with curry.

Organoleptic analysis of wine of Santa Ynez Valley

On the nose in the region of Santa Ynez Valley often reveals types of flavors of cherry, red currant or pomegranate and sometimes also flavors of orange, cola or fresh strawberries. In the mouth in the region of Santa Ynez Valley is a powerful with a nice balance between acidity and tannins.

News from the vineyard of Santa Ynez Valley

Etna announces nine new contrade with map update

On the highest volcano in Europe, the magic number is 142: the contrade of Etna represented on a colourful new map just released by the Consorzio Tutela Vini Etna DOC. In the age of viticultural cartography, the Sicilian district has embraced ‘zoning’ to enhance every single nuance of its territory, mostly cultivated with Nerello Mascalese and Carricante. ‘This map establishes the full viticultural maturity of our district and underlines the attitude of its winemakers to team up,’ said Francesco ...

Château Climens gets new majority owner after stake sale

Château Climens owner Lurton has sold a majority stake in the prestigious, Barsac-based estate to Jean-Hubert Moitry and his family, via the family’s Patrimonia Développement group, it was announced this week. It marks the Moitry family’s first investment in the wine sector, and represents a major deal in the Bordeaux wine world. Financial details weren’t disclosed. Nicknamed ‘Lord of Barsac’, Climens is one of the Premier Grand Cru Classé estates of Sauternes and Barsac listed in Bordeaux ...

Napa Valley mourns the passing of Margaret Duckhorn

The eponymous winery started by her and her former husband Dan, Duckhorn Vineyards, was founded in 1976. The brand would be among the first to feature Merlot as more than merely a blending grape. Duckhorn helped ignite America’s love for the grape. Born in New York State, Margaret travelled much throughout her life, growing up in a military family. Her collegiate studies would lead her to Germany where she would discover a love for wine. Upon returning to the US she would complete three degrees ...