Clementine Carter GRENACHE ROSE 2021 Santa Barbara County

My mom used to gather wild raspberries growing in the brambles of our neighborhood’s Michigan creek sides during her morning summer walks. She would gently cradle them into my little hands, coloring my warm palms bright red as I hurried to relish these tiny, tart gifts. This wine reminds of those moments - the eye-popping brightness, the sunshine haloing my mom’s shadow and the pure flavor dissolving on my tongue.

This is a blend of the stalwart Grenache Gris clone from Tierra Alta Vineyard and organically farmed Grenache from Robert Rae and Peake Ranch in the Sta. Rita Hills. Co-fermented, long and gentle at super cold temperatures in stainless steel drums to buoy its texture and elongate its presence.

285 cases produced.

Clementine Carter Grenache Blanc 2022 Santa barbara county

This takes me to a massive field of sunflowers at high-noon and everything is ascendant. The energy is hypnotic, like when your head turns as that certain someone walks by, your cheeks blushing as they catch your gaze. It’s all lost in translation and feels absolute for that one fleeting moment.

When selecting vineyards for Grenache Blanc I seek an intensity of character. For the 2022 vintage the duo of vineyards in this 100% Grenache Blanc blend provides a kinetic foundation to play off one another. Kimsey captures an energy akin to freshly candied citrus - grapefruit, lime and oranges all in one - and was carbonically fermented on the skins for 10 days. Tres Hermanas provides a lip-smacking briny-ness almost the foil to Kimsey’s phenolics. Fermented in concrete egg for lifted aromatics and floral drive.

265 cases produced. 

Clementine Carter Grenache STA. RITA HILLS 2021

Leave your penny loafers at home. This wine is the troublemaker in the Ivy Leagues. Who knew Grenache could demonstrate such piercing identity among the well healed? Think turned-up collar, extra-large comb in the back pocket of your faded Jordache jeans groovin’ to “Maneater” = Swagger. Spear and Robert Rae vineyards create the dynamic duo for this wine.

Spear and Robert Rae are organically farmed by awesome people. Spear receives morning warmth on its east facing sandy slope protected from the fierce oceanic westward afternoon winds. The fruit is plump, juicy and strategic in focus. Robert Rae is perched high above Santa Rosa road overlooking the entire Sta. Rita Hills from its intimate sunlight receiving west-facing clay-loam vista. The yield is never as much as I would like - it seems you actually can’t get enough of a good thing. This fruit is fierce and potent. 75% whole cluster fermentation, always. Long, cool gentle fermentation. 30+ days on the skins. Pressed into neutral French oak barrels for aging.

285 cases produced. 

CLEMENTINE Carter GRaciano Santa Ynez Valley 2020

Graciano! Hello there sexy! Think Chanel No. 5, fishnets, and a feather boa... in a vineyard. Now make wine from these grapes. This wine is high-toned, velvety with an almost florescent purple hue. Yeah I know, you’re welcome. Two-hundred acres of Graciano is now with us in California in a classic case of mistaken identity. It was an unintentional imposter for Monastrell clone Mourvèdre, until the anomalies proved too great to keep us convinced for long. In 2018 it was discovered that indeed the Monastrell was actually Morastell, aka Graciano.

The 2020 vintage is 100% whole cluster fermented from organically farmed Two Wolves vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley - one pick, one vineyard, one love.

150 cases produced.

Clementine Carter Graciano nouveau 2022

Let’s talk about Fresh, baby. Harvested on October 10th, 2021, this delicious delicate dazzler went from vine to bottle in 2 months time. Carbonic fermentation for 10 days before being pressed to tank. Totally dry, all about fun. Add a chill for extra excitement. Pairs perfectly with pizza parties, midnight snacks, sea side camping, fondue by candlelight, hiking summits, afternoon escapes, and definitely après-ski with chunky oatmeal raisin cookies. One bottle is never enough. Promise….

70 cases produced.

Clementine Carter Grenache Larner 2020 Ballard Canyon

The wines from this vineyard transports me to running the Ray Miller trail in Santa Monica Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean at sunset. A salty ocean breeze gently winds its way through a lavish herbal bouquet filled with California Rockrose, coastal sage and wild thyme. Calming, cool and mindful of its impressive presence.

Larner vineyard in Ballard Canyon represents excellence in all aspects of farming, family and attention to detail. The soils are all sand on a protected gentle slope. The fruit is consistently a delight to work with year after year, a true benchmark that creates a wine of piercing identity.  Organically farmed.  

One-third whole cluster fermented, 30+ days on the skins, pressed directly into neutral French oak barrels.

75 cases produced.

Clementine Carter West End Grenache 2021

This is what happens when Beyoncé moves in. We’re swooning to whatever she’s rolling on the turntable. Christy & Wise vineyard, just outside the Sta. Rita Hills AVA on the upper west side, in its own unique borough. Head trained Spanish clone Garnacha. Definitely the new sound you are looking for. 100% whole cluster fermentation. Aged in neutral French oak barrels. Purity and complexity at its finest.

225 cases produced, Santa Barbara County.

Clementine Carter Mourvèdre 2021 SAnta barbara county

You know that feeling. Getting dressed for a night on the town and everything just feels good. A warm, gentle breeze wafts the Jean Naté bath splash glistening on your skin. Your freshly washed hair bounces as you glide through the doors with Chaka Khan’s “Ain’t Nobody” busting through the speakers. All eyes turn to you. This is 100% Mourvèdre. A blend of three vineyards creates this magic. Portico, Zaca Mesa and Martian vineyards.

75% whole cluster fermentation, gentle twice a day punch downs, long cool fermentation, 30+ days on the skins, pressed directly into neutral French oak barrels.

150 cases produced.

SONJA + greg’s cider factory BANDit beauty 2021

Each year we create a singular wine cider combination to highlight the bounty of Santa Barbara wine country.  The 2021 vintage marks our 8th vinous-cider project.  Bandit Beauty is 75% Mourvedre + Grenache Blanc rose from Kimsey vineyard (carbonic fermentation) and 25% Granny Smith apple cider from Cuyama Orchards, sourced from our friends at Two Broads Cider in San Luis Obispo.  Fermented in stainless steel and old oak barrels, this cider was hand bottled in April 2022 for secondary fermentation.  This is 100% hazy love, the result of no disgorging to keep all the goods inside and the wine triple fresh.  To clarify, simply position bottle upright in the cold box for a day or so to chill and boom, it will naturally clarify. (Not necessary for complete enjoyment - It is still delicious!)

Central Coast.  120 cases produced.