Wine Enthusiast:  Designated an "Editors Choice" and rated as Excellent, extremely well made and highly recommended.  "A beautiful Sauvignon Blanc that shows why this warmish Santa Barbara County valley is such a natural home for the variety. With crisp acidity and a creamy texture, it’s dry and minerally, with interestingly rich flavors of citrus fruits, melons and pears, and a touch of smoky oak." Jul 2010

Winery:  "Prior to harvest, winemaker Bruce McGuire is on the road scouting out and securing great lots of Sauvignon Blanc from the eastern side of the Santa Ynez Valley.  Taking advantage of a more traditional climate for this grape than our cool climate Lafond Vineyard, Bruce is also mindful of the importance of carrying on the style he developed over the years from the Musque clone of Sauvignon Blanc previously grown at our vineyard.  McGinley and Grassini Vineyards are located in Santa Barbara's newest appellation, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, a warmer area known for producing exceptional Bordeaux varietals.  The 2008 vintage also contains 8% Riesling from Fess Parker's Camp 4 Vineyard, which adds a tropical fruit accent. Roughly 40% of the fruit comes from vines in excess of 36 years old, lending depth and concentration.  Bruce barrel fermented 20% of the juice in puncheons to give texture to the lean character of this wine without compromising the racy acids naturally found in Sauvignon Blanc."

Wired For Wine:  Santa Maria this Santa Barbara Winery Sauvignon Blanc is fantastic!!  Make sure you have enough on hand, because once you open that first cool bottle, they will only want on thing: more.  Fill those glasses and let everybody help themselves from a big platter of broiled oysters with garlic breadcrumbs.  As for the entree, the creaminess, crisp acidity, gorgeous array of rich fruit and hits of mineral and smokey oak lend this California white to chicken, seafood,  Asian cuisine, salad and more.  The citrus pairs famously with a zippy salad of arugala, paper-thin slices of red onion and blood orange.  Shave the parmesan over the top and drizzle with olive oil, vinegar and sea salt and dive in.  A terrific second after that salad is coconut lime mussels; the coconut broth is enhanced by ginger and lemongrass and thereby irresistible.  Crabmeat risotto with peas and chives is perfect opposite the lovely acidity of this Santa Barbara.  If you're ordering in, get the chicken Pad Thai; this Sauvignon Blanc can take the heat!  Keep everybody happy and open another bottle to go with the subtly grassy notes of a soft, fresh Hoja Santa chevre cheese.  Stand back and make sure you're not hurt in the fray...

Size:  750ml
Varietal: 92% Sauvignon Blanc, 8% Riesling
Alcohol:  13.7%
Region:  Santa Barbara County, California
Limited production: 2,152 dozen