Babcock Winery

Babcock Winery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the beginning...

In 1978, Walt and Mona Babcock were seeking a retreat from Walt's dental practice and the

rigors of being restauranteurs (Walt's Wharf in Seal Beach). Their search led them to purchase

110 acres of land on the western edge of the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County. At

that time the area was considered a fledgling wine region. This inspired and prompted the

Babcock's to plant a 25-acre vineyard in 1980. By the end of 1983, various notable winemakers

had purchased Babcock fruit and made compelling wines. It was quickly becoming apparent

that the soil and cool climate of the Babcock estate was ideal for producing ultra-premium

wine grapes.

In 1984, Walt and Mona Babcock decided it was time to seize the opportunity to produce

their own wine. Just as they were setting the stage for their winemaking operation, their son,

Bryan, who had graduated from Occidental College with a major in biology and a minor in

chemistry, was attending the University of California - Davis, working toward his master's

degree in food science, with an emphasis in enology. Fortunately, his studies primed him

for the first Babcock harvest, as he was awarded a double gold medal for Babcock's 1984

Estate Sauvignon Blanc. This was the first of the many honors and awards that Babcock

Winery would receive

Today...

Still family-owned and operated, Babcock Winery is surrounded by 90 acres of estate vineyards

currently planted to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. The 20,000

case winery primarily uses their own grapes but also sources their fruit from other notable local

vineyards.

What has Bryan excited these days is the promotion of the recently TTB approved appellation,

Santa Rita Hills. Named for the hills that lie in the western end of the Santa Ynez Valley between

two other ranges-- the Purisimas to the north and the Santa Rosas to the south-- this region is

situated at its closest point within 10 miles of the Pacific Ocean. Babcock and a number of other

nearby vineyards are in the heart of this viticulturally distinct area. Within a cool climate

(Region 1), generally 10 to 15 degrees cooler than eastern Santa Ynez Valley, this district

is caressed by cooling ocean breezes at mid-afternoon that help keep temperatures moderate

on warm summer days. The climate and soil combination creates flavorful wines of depth,

texture and balance, most notable in the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties.

Never resting on his laurels, Bryan continually finesses his farming practices and strives to

make compelling wine outside of the box. It has led to Babcock's reputation as one of the

finest and most consistently reliable wine producers in California.

Since 1984 Bryan has been producing wines of exceptional quality from his family owned winery located on the far western edge of the Santa Ynez Valley in northern Santa Barbara County. The quality of Bryan's wines speak for themselves, yet it is his personal commitment to excellence that stands out so much. His relentless experimentation, his willingness to explore the possibilities with so many grape varieties, and his aesthetic, are a world apart from the usual American approach to winemaking.   Join Us: Babcock's 6th Annual Winery Open House, Saturday, April 16th. For details see "News & Events"

 

Integrity and quality are paramount to the wines of Babcock Winery and Vineyards. Because of Bryan's exceptionally high standards, no matter the varietal or vintage, Babcock wines are always among the elite. There are two lines of wine, Premier and Terroir Exclusives. The Premier porfolio represents our classic varieties and blends available nationwide. The "Terroir Exclusives" program features wines of exemplary quality and distinctive character due to the "terroir' of a particular vineyard. There are multiple annual offerings of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon labeled with the specific block designation of a select vineyard. Within a vintage, one varietal may have several different designations. These wines are available exclusively through the winery. Current Releases: Premier Wines   Many of our wines are very limited in production and sell out quickly. To be assured that you receive a bottle, join one of our wine clubs. Chardonnay 2008 Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County $18.00 The wine has a brisk acidity and minerality from our estate fruit and the varietal character and flesh from the fruit from Loma Verde Vineyard in Los Alamos. With a nose of pear and lemon meringue, it's hard to resist. 2008 Chardonnay, Grand Cuvée $30.00 This is a cuvée equivalent to a "reserve". The nose shows a bouquet of lemony pineapple and creme brulée along with a little mango and pear. Generous flavors are complemented by a luxurious texture counterpointed by excellent acidity. Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Estate Grown $23.00 In a cool climate as ours, the trick is to tame the Sauvignon Blanc beast and find the sweet spots in the farming in order to express this variety's beauty. This has a classic dried herb, fresh lemon-lime character along with the perfect touch of acidity. Stunning with shellfish. Pinot Gris 2010 Pinot Gris "Naughty Little Hillsides" $20.00 is available now. Pinot Noir 2009 Pinot Noir, Grand Cuvée $40.00 Smokey cherries, mint and an amalgam of spice are all wrapped together into a soft sweet package. At 13.9% alcohol, it has the more powerfully mesmerizing aspects of a fully developed Pinot Noir. Over time it evolve into an even richer and more complex wine. 2009 Pinot Noir, Rita's Earth $22.00 Entirely from the Sta. Rita Hills appellation, the wine has the classic cherries and spice that has become a very welcomed standard, along with the elegance and regal bearing of a wine twice the price. Syrah 2008 Syrah "Under the Radar" is SOLD OUT. 2009 vintage coming in April! 2009 "Identity Crisis" White Syrah $15.00 Yes! This is a dry white made from red grapes resulting in an elegant wine that is very versatile. Buttery tones are laced into its delicate, perplexing fruit suggesting a cross between nectarine and cinnamon. Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon "Classic Rock" SOLD OUT! 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon "New Epoch Reserve" $30.00 The nose has a beautiful plum and boysenberry fruit character with a touch of herbal that Bryan calls the "Santa Ynez Garrigue." Its grace and power are an expression of Cabernet grown in the right place. FATHOM 2008 FATHOM $45.00 Our ever changing, red Bordeaux varietal blend has been a sensation from the first vintage more than a decade ago. A full bodied, muscular red showing boysenberry/raspberry fruit with a hint of fennel and toasty oak. 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 18% Petit Verdot. Almost sold out! Under The Radar Wines What are "Under the Radar" wines? Simply put, wines of exceptional quality and price that receive little fanfare because they're not around long enough. 2009 Merlot "Under The Radar" $13.00 The wine has a beautiful deep red hue, and is nicely proportioned. Aromas and flavors of cranberry and boysenberry with a spicy hint of clove and nutmeg. Red Table Wine $12.00 A full bodied, silky red that is priced to enjoy everyday. An enticing combination of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Current Releases: Terroir Exclusives   Terroir Exclusives wines are discounted only for Terroir Exclusives and Terroir Exclusives PLUS wine club members. 2009 Pinot Noir "Ocean's Ghost" $55.00 Entirely from a select section of our estate vineyard, this wine is the epitome of Pinot Noir. Deep, complex with layer of flavors, it has become the most sought after wine in our Terroir Exclusives series. 2009 Pinot Noir "DÉJÀ VU" is SOLD OUT. 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon "Nucleus" $50.00 A blockbuster red from the Estelle Vineyard in the Happy Canyon area of the Santa Ynez Valley. Dense fruit brings to mind one of those pressed fruit rolls that has a double layer of boysenberry with an ultra thin layer of dark chocolate in between. Luscious.