A Tribute to Grace Grenache, Thompson Vineyard 2021 (750 ml)

A Tribute to Grace Grenache 2021, Thompson Vineyard

Thompson Vineyard is one of my most admired plantings in Santa Barbara County. In 2018, we managed to secure three rows in this historic site just two hills over from the town we call home. We then extended our rows in 2020 to include their second block (planted to Alban clone, own-rooted, on a south facing hillside of flint and sand), and since then have combined the two lots into one single-vineyard grace.

Practicing Organic

100% Grenache

Thompson Vineyard (Santa Ynez Valley AVA)

Planted to Alban clone, own-rooted, on a south facing hillside of flint and sand

Native ferment, foot-tread twice daily for 11 days. Pressed on day 12

38% whole cluster

11-month élevage in French 220L barrique (38% once-used)

Harvested on October 17th, 2020 (moon in Scorpio)

Bottled September 7th, 2021 (moon in Sagittarius)

Alcohol: 13.3% abv

189 cases produced

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I am a New Zealand born winemaker who moved to California in 2006 with the dream of making Grenache. In the land from which I stem, the climate is too cool to ripen this sun-loving beauty. And so began my search: northern Spain, southern France, southern Australia, California…

Abundant sunshine and entrepreneurial spirit led me to the latter, and in 2007 I sourced my first Grenache fruit from the Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard. Nestled high above the Pacific Ocean and 33 miles inland, this high-desert vineyard provided the perfect balance of heat and light I sought.

I chose to name my label after two of my favourite things: my Grandmother Grace, and my most beloved attribute. My winemaking intention is to capture this spirit, and stay as close to nature as humanly possible. The trio is completed by the grape itself, which to me encapsulates grace.

To grace and Grace,

Angela Osborne