Last time my wine travels took me to Santa Barbara County I dropped by Brewer-Clifton's Tasting Room to taste their wines. This was not a random visit. My research on Santa Barbara's Pinot Noir led me to Brewer-Clifton tasting room in Los Olivos. Its wines are a reflection of the geographic, geologic and climatic uniqueness of Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills appellation. Brewer-Clifton, founded in 1996, by Greg Brewer, founder and winemaker, who has spent his entire his career crafting Sta. Rita Hills cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Brewer-Clifton, Los Olivos © Spaswinefood
Yes, it is always special to visit Santa Barbara Wine Country where the micro-climates and terrains allows for a diverse grape growing. It is home to seven American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) with distinct climate and soil: Santa Maria Valley, California’s second oldest AVA is the most northerly. Santa Ynez Valley AVA has four sub-AVAs (West to East): Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District, and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara. Alisos Canyon is the youngest AVA. The Burgundian grapes, pinot noir and chardonnay, thrive in the Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley; Rhone grapes like syrah and grenache in Ballard Canyon; and Bordeaux's cabernet sauvignon and merlot in Happy Canyon. You will also find Italian and Spanish varieties, and late harvest and bubbly wines too.
The diversity and uniqueness of Santa Barbara's AVAs results in great variation in growing conditions. The Brewer-Clifton vineyards are located in the Sta. Rita Hills, a sub-region of the Santa Ynez Valley AVA, between the towns of Lompoc and Buellton, with the Purisima Hills to the north, and the Santa Rosa Hills to the south. This area is exposed to fog and coastal breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean. The hills are oriented on an east-west axis, which allows cool ocean breezes from the Pacific Ocean to enter the valley creating a cool mesoclimate. The Santa Rita Hills are best known for cool climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah wines. Brewer-Clifton estate vineyards are certified sustainable by Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW) and Sustainable in Practice (SIP). Their wines capture the essence of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.
Brewer-Clifton Wines
Brewer-Clifton Wines © Spaswinefood
As I noted earlier the Burgundian grapes, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, thrive in the Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley. Greg Brewer, founder and winemaker has spent his entire his career crafting Sta. Rita Hills AVA cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County, California.
I tasted two Brewer-Clifton Chardonnays, a 2021 and a 2012.
Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Machado 2021 & 3-D 2012, Santa Rita Hills © Spaswinefood
Obviously, the first thing that jumps out, is an aging difference in the wines. Then when I taste I immediately recognize these are no ordinary Chardonnay wines.
Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Machado 2021(left) & 3-D 2012 (Right)
Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Machado 2021(left) 3-D 2012 (right), Santa Rita Hills © Spaswinefood
Now, let's take a closer look.
Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Machado 2021, Santa Rita Hills
Brewer-Clifton, Chardonnay Machado 2021, Santa Rita Hills © Spaswinefood
Just read reviews of these Chardonnays, like those on K &L Wines, also see 2012 3-D.
The 2021 Pinot Noir wines we tasted were:
Brewer-Clifton, 3-D and Hapgood Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, 2021
Brewer-Clifton, 3-D and Hapgood Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, 2021 © Spaswinefood
Brewer-Clifton, Santa Rita Hills 2021 Pinot Noirs in The Glass © Spaswinefood
After tasting these 2021 Pinot Noirs of course I could not resist tasting more Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir wines.
Brewer-Clifton, 459 2020 & Machado Pinot Noir 2018, Santa Rita Hills
Brewer-Clifton, Pinot Noir 459 2020 (left) & Machado 2018 (right), Santa Rita Hills © Spaswinefood
The Brewer-Clifton Machado Pinot Noir is one of the flagship single-vineyard offerings from their sustainably farmed estate vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills. Pinot Noir is the most celebrated red wine varietal in Sta. Rita Hills.
Brewer-Clifton, 459 Pinot Noir, 2020
Many critics rate this wine high.
Brewer-Clifton, Machado Pinot Noir 2018
Glowing reviews of wine are summarized by K &L Wine.
When you make wines like these then it is no surprise that Greg Brewer was named Wine Enthusiast's 2020 Winemaker of the Year.
Brewer-Clifton Wines Call for Celebration
Recently when sorting my Pinot Noir wines for a future celebration I came across my Brewer-Clifton wines. Finding these wines prompted me to write this article.
Brewer-Clifton Wines © Spaswinefood
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Those who know me also know I like to plan celebrations centered on wines I pickup during my travels. I look forward to planning a celebration with these Brewer-Clifton wines.
Table Waiing for Brewer-Clifton Wines © Spaswinefood
It is indeed time to celebrate with Brewer-Clifton wines.
Brewer-Clifton Wines © Spaswinefood
I am delighted to have visited the Brewer-Clifton tasting room is in Los Olivos. Brewer-Clifton also has a winery located in Midtown Lompoc. Santa Barbara Wine County is undoubtedly a top wine destination. I invite you to join me in my wine travels in Santa Barbara County and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. I am so looking forward to sharing more on my vine-filled explorations in California's Santa Barbara Wine country.
CHEERS!
Sharon
Remebering Santa Barbara County Wine Travels
Los Olivos, California
© Spaswinefood
Brewer-Clifton, Los Olivos © Spaswinefood
Wine Travels, Santa Barbara County © Spaswinefood
While in Santa Barbara County Sideways, Bulleton is one of our favorite places to stay.
Sideways, Bulleton © Spaswinefood
Sideways, Bulleton © Spaswinefood
I invite you to join me in my travels in Santa Barbara Wine Country and elsewhere in search of the best in Spaswinefood.
Bulleton, Santa Barbara County © Spaswinefood
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