2019 A Tribute to Grace Wine Company Thompson Vineyard Grenache, 1.5ltr

A Tribute to Grace is a mouthful for the name of a winery. But for Angela Osborne, the young New Zealand-born founder and winemaker, the name makes perfect sense. She chose the name to honor her grandmother Grace and the quality of grace, both of which have been important in her life. Osborne’s own story is graceful. She worked in the wine business in London before becoming enamored with Grenache and dedicating herself to its perfect expression. She was working as an assistant winemaker in Santa Barbara in 2007 when she launched her own label, making Grenache from a single vineyard, the Santa Barbara Highlands. Today she continues to make Grenache only, sourcing grapes from throughout California’s hotter grape growing regions. She also makes a Grenache rosé. In 2015 The San Francisco Chronicle named Osborne one of 10 Rising Stars in West Coast winemaking. Vinous has noted that “Angela Osborne is making some of the most distinctive Rhône-varietal wines on the West Coast.”

Santa Ynez Valley AVA is home to more wineries than any other area in Santa Barbara County. The appellation was established in 1983 and it includes a total of 76,800 acres, of which 1,500 acres are vineyards. Chardonnay is the dominant grape in this appellation, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. The appellation runs east and west with temperatures and microclimates changing significantly from warmer in the east to cool by the time the district gets close to the Pacific Ocean. In recent years Rhone-style wines have been successfully made here, and vineyards now are also planted to Syrah, Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache, Mourvedre and Marsanne.

One of the most popular red varieties planted, it ripens late and prefers hot dry climates. It probably originated in Spain, where it is still widely grown. Grenache is best known for its use in Southern Rhone wines, including those of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.