Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County has over 200 years of experience in winemaking and wine grape growing beginning with the missionary, Father Junipero Serra, who brought grapevine cuttings from Mexico in 1782. Today, Santa Barbara County wines have earned great respect with wine drinkers and have won an impressive array of awards. The region is best-known for fine Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah, as well as Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and other varietals.
The Terrain
Santa Barbara County is an amazingly diverse region comprised of multiple microclimates that create uniquely different wines within the region. A distinctive feature of this region is the Santa Ynez and San Rafael mountain ranges which run east-west compared to north-south. The valleys created by these mountains are conduits for the ocean breezes, ensuring that the inland vineyards experience moderate temperature swings. The terrain is comprised of a wide variety of soils including diatomaceous, chert and limestone which imbue the grapes with distinct flavor profiles.
Geode Chardonnay
For the 2006 Geode Chardonnay we have chosen prime vineyard sites, primarily in the Santa Maria Valley, that are farmed and irrigated responsibly, minimizing the use of synthetic fertilizers and utilizing cover crops to control pests and nourish the soil. The pure, flavor-packed grapes sourced from these outstanding sites infuse Geode with its rich, earthy goodness.
