2021 Brewer-Clifton Wines Are Here!

CHARDONNAY & PINOT NOIR FROM TOP WINEMAKER!

"Many of you all have been asking for the next release of the Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. These wines have consistently been staff favorites as well as top sellers over the years. I’m thrilled to say that the new 2021 Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills and 2021 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills are finally here. Our last Brewer-Clifton shipment was all the way back before Thanksgiving 2021!

Brewer-Clifton is easily one of the most prominent and critically acclaimed Chardonnay & Pinot Noir producers in the highly-regarded Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Greg Brewer was named Wine Enthusiast's 2020 Winemaker of the Year, the first time anyone from Santa Barbara County was given this honor. Their single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs list for $65- $85 a bottle, and these Sta. Rita Hills appellation blends of their estate vineyards are stunning and affordable values. The Brewer-Clifton team knows what they’re doing, from careful cultivation in the vineyard (all estate fruit here) to the winemaking techniques that encourage the fruit to speak for itself. The 2020 vintage was extremely short (only in the store for a few months), but the 2021 is a triumph and absolutely superb. Scroll to the end to read the industry report on the vintage… better yet, buy the wines and enjoy!" – Glen Knight, The Wine House

BREWER-CLIFTON PHILOSOPHY
At Brewer – Clifton, we believe that the geographic, geologic and climatic uniqueness of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation provide an ideal place to grow chardonnay and pinot noir of intensity, complexity and specificity. Our mission and indeed our passion is to present wines that convey the characteristics inherent to each of these sites, with uncompromising quality.

Check out our CLOSEOUT wines on our website! Quantities are limited to current stock and new closeout wines are added regularly!

NOTE: Our store is open between 11AM and 6PM. When placing your order, you can select "in-store pickup" or "curbside pickup." Please see updated curbside pickup instructions below.

NOTE! For orders over $250, we offer Special Local Delivery
Monday - Friday to addresses up to 10 miles from the store for $15/case. Additional delivery options are also available on our website.

FROM THE WINERY

TASTING NOTES
With the goal of expressing a comprehensive expression of the appellation, we selected three unique vineyard sites to create this Sta. Rita Hills bottling. This blend is comprised of 3D, Machado and Hapgood vineyards. While each lot is handled separately and in a completely uniform fashion in the winery, each contributes vastly different expressions which ultimately harmonize in the finished wine.
Aroma: Lemon, Kiwi, Orange Blossom, Sweet Basil
Flavor: Jasmine, Lime, Ginger, Mineral
Texture: Peel, Orange Zest, Fresh Sea Salt

CRAFT
Only neutral barrels are employed. Whole cluster pressed chardonnay. We don’t promote or prohibit malolactic fermentation, allowing wine to be in balance, bright and elegant.

FARMING
As each vineyard has its own unique requirements and we manage each according to their inimitable needs rather than a macro approach to farming. We are working to achieve a natural balance between the site, the vines, the aspect and the microclimates in each vineyard, using sustainable and/or organic farming methods whenever possible.

CELLARING
All of the wines are produced with the intention of aging and cellaring for at least 10 years and can easily be enjoyed after 15 yrs.

VINEYARDS
This blend is comprised of 3D, Machado and Hapgood vineyards:
3D: The primary emphasis of the predominantly sandy 10 acre vineyard is chardonnay, with five clones planted in equal amounts.
MACHADO: The 15 acre parcel on the Machado family land is located adjacent to Clos Pepe and immediately behind the Kessler-Haak vineyard. The site is marked by a gorgeous rolling terrain with sandy clay loam soils.
HAPGOOD: In slightly richer soil, the vineyard is planted to the Mount Eden selection of chardonnay. The elevated clay loam content results in larger volume and a more dense palate expression

FROM THE WINERY

TASTING NOTES
This bottling is comprised of 100% estate pinot noir from three vineyards within the AVA. 3D, Machado and Hapgood all contribute to the wine which exhibits a drive, richness and pedigree expressive of our special growing area coupled with the purity of fruit and firm structure which have been the trademark of Brewer – Clifton.
Aroma: Pomegranate, White Tea, Raspberry
Flavor: Dried Fig, White Truffle, Ripe Cherry
Texture: Rooibos Tea, Savory

CRAFT
Only neutral barrels are employed. We strive for whole cluster fermentation. We farm with a focus of ripening the stems alongside the fruit, allowing the cluster to be in harmony. Working with the stems allows for wines that are structured, earthy and balanced with our beautiful SRH fruit.

FARMING
As each vineyard has its own unique requirements and we manage each according to their inimitable needs rather than a macro approach to farming. We are working to achieve a natural balance between the site, the vines, the aspect and the microclimates in each vineyard, using sustainable and/or organic farming methods whenever possible.

VINEYARDS
This blend is comprised of 3D, Machado and Hapgood vineyards:
3D: The primary emphasis of the predominantly sandy 10 acre vineyard is chardonnay, with five clones planted in addition to chardonnay, there is a smaller field of pinot noir planted to Swan, Pommard and 667 clones.
MACHADO: The 15 acre parcel on the Machado family land is located adjacent to Clos Pepe and immediately behind the Kessler-Haak vineyard. The site is marked by a gorgeous rolling terrain with sandy clay loam soils.
HAPGOOD: In slightly richer soil, the vineyard is planted to the Mount Eden selection of chardonnay. The elevated clay loam content results in larger volume and a more dense palate expression. Our most recent installation, planted in 2010, is this small 2 1/2 acre section of pinot noir planted to Merry Edwards clone.

WINE INSTITUTE VINTNERS REPORT FOR SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Most-planted grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah

All signs point to a superb 2021 vintage for Santa Barbara County. The growing season was mild, slow and steady, with consistently mild weather from bud break to harvest. Spring winds and rain were scarce, which allowed for favorable set for all varieties. The season brought little in the way of heat spells and extreme weather, and there were no frost issues. A period in mid-September of extremely wet, drenching fog caused some Botrytis issues in Chardonnay, but precise vineyard management and careful harvesting prevented it from becoming an issue. Grapes developed slowly, with smaller berries than normal, smaller cluster weights and lower yields. The berries came in with great flavor and acidity, with beautiful dark color in the reds. Harvest began in mid-August, about a week behind historical averages. Ripening patterns for different varieties and AVAs were atypical; Pinot Noir in the Sta. Rita Hills was at least two weeks behind, while Bordeaux varieties in Happy Canyon matured early. This led to a big harvest crunch, with many varieties ready for picking at the same time. The biggest challenges came from the lack of available trucks and drivers during harvest. In a few distinct locations, Pinot Noir yields were down drastically, whereas in the Sta. Rita Hills they were above average. The stars of 2021 are Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, which came through in both quality and quantity. Reds — especially Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon — look promising at this early stage.

UPDATED CURBSIDE PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS (AUGUST 2021):

1. Place your online order, select "curbside pickup" and the date you wish to pick up your order. You will receive several emails. The first will acknowledge receipt of your order, another will let you know that your order is ready for curbside pickup.

2. When your order is ready for curbside pickup, it will be at the front of the store. IMPORTANT! Due to space constraints, orders will only be held in the front of the store for curbside pickup for 3 days. After 3 days, they will be moved back to Will Call by the Customer Service Desk inside the store.

3. When picking up, pull up in front of the store. There is no need to call when you arrive at the store – just roll down your passenger window and let us know the name on the order. We will put your order in your vehicle. There is no need to step out of your vehicle.