
Recent Press & Reviews

Sarah's Vineyard 2012 Madonne Estate Red (Santa Clara Valley) - 91 Points
There is a lot of herbal and woody nuance to the nose of this blend of 72% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Carignane and 3% Counoise. Thyme, dried fennel and Earl Grey tea aromas lift the dark strawberry fruit. Shaved cedar flavors frame the palate, where lavender and other purple flowers integrate seamlessly into the soft red fruit.
Sarah's Vineyard 2012 Besson Vineyard Syrah (Santa Clara Valley) - 89 Points
Vibrant lavender, as well as the flowering tips of rosemary and thyme, meet with blueberry on the floral nose of this wine that shows little of the tarry harshness that often comes from the grape. Lavender also marks the sip, as does white pepper, crushed thyme, dried mint, sage and even tarragon, atop a dark purple-fruit backbone.
Sarah's Vineyard 2014 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) - 91 Points
A rich nose of vanilla-bean ice cream, Marcona almond, buttered cornbread and pan-seared pear makes for a very inviting entry to this bottling. The vanilla and caramel flavors extend to the palate, but in a judiciously light way, with candied pecans, baked fruit and honeysuckle flavors, altogether quite delicious.
Sarah's Vineyard 2014 Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) - 89 Points
Earthy aromas of potting soil and tomato leaf give nuance to the rose petal and pomegranate fruit that show on the nose of this bottling. It's light and lively on the palate, with cranberries barely showing through the dried sage, oregano, bay leaf and thyme herbs.
Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Reserve Pinot Noir (Santa Clara Valley) - 93 Points - Editor's Choice
This special bottling from a historic winery is full of energy and life, evident because it maintains freshness many days after opening. It's quite light in color, and shows iron, cinnamon, strawberry, crushed sagebrush, coriander, cardamom and curry on the nose. The layered palate packs dried orange peel, rooibos tea, dried cranberry and rose-hip flavors. — Wine Enthusiast (08/2016)
Sarah's Vineyard 2014 Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains) - 91 Points
Deeply brooding notes of crushed violets, rose petals, black cherries, thyme and sagebrush make for a manly take on this often feminine grape. Elderberry fruit shows on the palate, as do more violets and lilacs, dried mint, sagebrush, menthol and pine-needle flavors.
— Wine Enthusiast (08/2016)
Sarah's Vineyard 2012 Charbono (Santa Clara Valley) - 90 Points - Editor's Choice
Not just an intriguing wine that geeks will love to find, this bottling of Charbono is intriguing and accessible to lovers of many different styles. Rich but fruity aromas of boysenberry, black plum, hoisin sauce and wood smoke give way to a palate laced with more plum and rounded purple fruit as well as touches of graphite and gravel. — Wine Enthusiast (05/2016)
Sarah's Vineyard 2011 Cote de Madonne Red (Santa Clara Valley) - 89 Points
Fresh-pressed wild berries, cedar, purple flowers, and Jolly Rancher grape candy notes show on the nose of this blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignane and Counoise. More grape candy shows on the palate, along with vibrant lilacs, black pepper, rose petals and a touch of espresso. — Wine Enthusiast (4/2016)
Sarah's Vineyard 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Clara Valley) - 88 Points
An herbal-leaning bottling, this shows oregano, pasilla chile and a shred of bell pepper on the nose, giving nuance to the blueberry-fruit base. It's fresh and easy-drinking on the peppery palate, with strawberry cut by more chile elements. It's great for those who enjoy pyrazine influence, but stay away if not.
— Wine Enthusiast (4/2016)
Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Cote de Madonne Blanc White (Santa Clara Valley) - 90 Points
This blend of Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc has a serious line of minerality apparent on the nose as well as pear blossom, pineapple-guava skin and a dairy tang. The palate clings to Meyer lemon pith and Greek yogurt flavors. — Wine Enthusiast (12/2015)
Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Estate Chardonnay (Santa Clara Valley) - 92 Points - Cellar Selection
There’s a yogurt-driven dairy element on the nose of this estate wine from western Gilroy, with sleek white peach, light white pepper, lemon blossom and lime-pith aromas in support. The Brie cheese-rind tension carries to the palate, along with grapefruit pith, lime zest and bountiful energy. This bottling is great now but will hold until at least 2022. — Wine Enthusiast (12/2015)
Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) - 91 Points
Fresh dill, dewy herbs and a seared lemon-syrup scent makes for a dense but not treacly nose on this wine by a producer on the fringes of Gilroy. A chive accent holds attention once sipped, with a chalky minerality and a white-pepper finish, altogether proving brisk and elegant. — Wine Enthusiast (12/1/2015)
Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Chardonnay (Central Coast) - 88 Points
Honey butter, vanilla bean and dried banana aromas emerge on the nose of this Chard. The palate shows seared apple slices cut with lemon juice, boosted by minerally tension and a peppery energy. — Wine Enthusiast (12/1/2015)
Sarah's Vineyard 2012 Reserve Pinot Noir (Santa Clara Valley) - 92 Points
Bright aromas of raspberry and dried rose petals highlight this wine from the southwestern corner of the county, along with black tea, sage and shiitake mushrooms. The flavors are supple and elegant, with light strawberry, pencil shavings and sagebrush making for a fun, energetic wine that really lets the vineyard shine. — Wine Enthusiast (4/1/2015)