Founded in 1808, M. Chapoutier is the only landowner in the region to own vineyards in all major appellations in the Rhône Valley. Since Michel Chapoutier began leading the centuries-old family business in 1990, the winery has vaulted to the forefront of quality. Michel is dedicated to farming the land according to a biodynamic viticultural philosophy that emphasizes low yields, resulting in the ideal expression of soil character for each vineyard.

The original property was purchased in 1972 by a group of friends and they started planting the vineyard in 1973. With few other vineyards in the area to learn from, the vineyard was originally planted with numerous varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Grenache, Chardonnay, and Syrah to see what would work. As the vineyard came into production, a winery was built on the property in 1978 and later expanded in 1981. 1978 was another milestone for Zaca Mesa, planting the first Syrah in Santa Barbara County.

By the early-1990’s, they had determined based on their

farming experience that the Rhône varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, and Roussanne) grew best on the property.

As one of the pioneers in the Santa Barbara County, Zaca Mesa was a training ground for many. Ken Brown was our first winemaker and later started Byron in Santa Maria Valley. Adam Tolmach, Jim Clendenen and Bob Lindquist worked at Zaca Mesa before venturing out on their own to start Ojai, Au Bon Climat and Qupé, respectively. Zaca Mesa was the first Central Coast winery to appear in Wine Spectator’s Top 10 back in 1995.

Since 1997, they have focused on growing the best Rhône varieties. They have ripped up over half the original vines, replacing them with high-density planting of new rootstock and clone combinations that has significantly improved the quality. They now have 9 clones of syrah and the most high density vineyard acres in the county.

This unique blend is inspired by the wines of Côtes du Rhône where they have been blending these varieties together for centuries to create wines that are greater than the sum of their parts. After hand harvesting, the grapes were gently de-stemmed, fermented and barrel aged separately for seven months, and then combined and aged for an additional nine months in French oak barrels.

This Z Cuvée is composed of 57% Grenache, 31% Mourvedre, and 12% Syrah. Each grape adds its own nuance: Grenache adds rich raspberry flavors; Mourvèdre brings notes of blueberry and pepper; and Syrah, flavors of blackberry and ripe tannins. These layers of flavor enable this wine to pair with a wide variety of foods from mushroom pizza to rosemary crusted leg of lamb. You can enjoy this wine now or cellar for the next five to seven years.

In France, there is a strong argument that where a grape is grown is at least as significant as the variety of grape from which it is grown. Thus the geology of each particular vineyard along with its altitude, aspect and individual microclimate is of great importance

The Southern Rhône valley is host to a complex and diverse geological structure which explains, in part, the vast range of different wines that are produced here. The commune of Séguret covers approximately 850 hectares and can be divided into three different types of terroir; down by the river the soil is silty and has a loam base, the slopes which

surround the village have a sandstone and pebbly composition and the hills behind the village are limestone giving way to marl.

Their terraced hillside vineyard, at an average altitude of 350m, is predominately clay and grey limestone which, combined with its microclimate, gives this location a terroir of unique quality. Careful husbandry using natural and organic techniques - ‘culture raisonée’ as it is known in France - in conjunction with combined traditional and advanced methods of vinification, results in a well structured wine with pronounced fruit aromas and deep, rich colors.

Set in a secluded valley between the picturesque village of Séguret and Mont Ventoux, Domaine de Mourchon was established by the McKinlay family in 1998 with the purchase of 17 hectares of mature vines. Constructed to the highest modern standards, the new winery was completed in 2000.

The 2009 “Tradition” is composed of 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 10% Carignan. The vines are an average of 40 years old. The grapes were harvested and aged in concrete vats for 12 months. This powerful yet elegant wine is deep garnet red in color. The aromas conjure up images of bushels of ripe black cherries and blackberries, with undertones of anise and spice. The palate is both velvety and generous with supple fruit.