Stephen's Cellar

Stephen's Cellar
7575 York Mountain Road
Templeton, California
USA 93465
Phone: (805) 238-2412
http://www.stephenscellar.com

Contact: Stephen Goldman
Email: [email protected]

A new estate vineyard was planted spring 2001, devoted entirely to Pinot Noir. It is situated in the Santa Lucia Mountains on a northerly slope of 1,500’ in the York Mountain Viticultural Area. Steve and Father Max created the York Mountain American Viticultural Area in 1983 to signify the uniqueness of this beautiful place. With its cool maritime (5 miles from the ocean) influence and sandstone soil, the vineyard is in an ideal location. Vineyard cultural practices are based on organic and biodynamic principles.

Stephen’s new vineyard is now at almost full production and the first Estate Pinot Noir, vintage 2006 was released the summer of 2008. Grapes are also purchased from neighboring vineyards. They include: the 30-year-old Laughney, 27-year-old MacBride, 8 year-old Stromsoe, 7 year-old Anderson, 8 year-old Encell and 8 year-old Moore. Though Pinot Noir is the focus, a Bordeaux variety blend (Claret), Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Dry Sherry will be made in limited amounts. Altogether, about 2,500 cases will be produced annually. The cellar work is fashioned after Burgundian techniques as far as wine and grape treatment goes. Gravity and inert gas racking with little or no fining and filtering is the normal course of action. The philosophy is, every action the grapes or wine is subjected to, diminish the integrity.

The Stephen’s label was introduced with the 1994 vintage. A small library inventory of Pinot Noirs and Clarets has been retained for sale. For current releases, please refer to “current releases” at stephenscellar.com. Stephen’s wines from the York Mountain AVA and neighboring vineyards have garnered several awards and accolades, with many gold medals, at major national and international competitions and publications. Stephen’s Wine Club has been formed for those who like to dabble in such things, and visits to the cellar are welcome by appointment.

Winemaker: Stephen Goldman

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