Firestone - Santa Ynez Valley - Sauvignon Blanc 2016

2016 SANTA YNEZ VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC

Founded in 1972, Firestone was the first major estate winery to sink roots in the Santa Ynez Valley. The winery’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean, a mere 26 miles to the west, ensures a relatively mild and arid climate throughout the year. The moderate weather and complex, rocky soils make this a perfect setting for our 340 acres of Bordeaux, Rhone and Burgundian varieties.

Technical data

A V A: Santa Ynez Valley
COMPOSITION 100% Sauvignon Blanc
ALCOHOL: 14.2%
AGING: 10 months in neutral French oak
TA: 7.3 g/L
pH: 3.34
BOTTLING DATE August 4, 2017

VINEYARDS

The Santa Ynez Valley is located just two hours north of Los Angeles and five hours south of San Francisco, adjacent the cold Pacific Ocean. With the greatest concentration of wineries in Santa Barbara County - roughly 18% of its total land planted to vineyards - it is among the favorite weekend destinations for wine aficionados in the Central Coast region.

VINTAGE

2016 was another vintage of both high quality and quantity of fruit. We had an early bud break, which began in the third week of February, and a warm spring that led to slightly earlier bloom. Summer temperatures were mild and warm resulting in a good fruit set and average yields. We harvested all the fruit on August 23, 2016 - the earliest harvest to date - in cool temperatures to ensure cold fruit at pressing.

WINEMAKER ’ S NOTES

The fruit for our 2016 Barrel Select Sauvignon Blanc came from the upper Mesa portion of our estate where vines offer lower yields, resulting in more concentrated flavors. Fragrant aromas of passion fruit, citrus, melon and cut grass perfume the nose. The aromas carry through to the palate with flavors of fig, melon and citrus. This wine is bright and a nicely structured, giving way to a long mineral finish.

USA California Santa Ynez Valley