Sunstone Vineyard and Winery
125 N Refugio Rd
Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Hours:
- Monday11:00 am-5:00 pmOpen
- Tuesday11:00 am-5:00 pmOpen
- Wednesday11:00 am-5:00 pmOpen
- Thursday11:00 am-5:00 pmOpen
- Friday11:00 am-5:00 pmOpen
Winery
Located in Santa Ynez Valley, Sunstone Winery is named after the vineyards sun weathered stone and shale. Second generation winemaker, Bion Rice is producing Bordeaux and Rhone style wines on the oldest organically farmed vineyard in Santa Barbra County. This location features Provencal French courtyards, stone barrel-aging caves and lawn for picnic and games. These pictures were taken during an unannounced visit. The multiple candlelit tasting bars where decorated for a normal Saturday by friendly staff. Sunstone is popular with patrons and shuttle tours, but we believe this winery is best enjoyed as a destination. Tasting fee ($18) is waved with a 3 bottle purchase and there are snacks for sale at the bar. Animals are allowed outside but must remain on the leash. No smoking or vaping on this property please.
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Tasting Fee$18.00
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For your Wine Adventure:
AppellationSanta Ynez AVA
Wine MakerBion Rice
Dog Friendly
Outdoor Seating: 192
Current Releases
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2012 Cabernet FrancConcentrated aromatics of rich black currant, rich moist soil, black licorice, black tea, fennel, baking spices, soy sauce, and toasty American oak. As the wine opens up, fragrant potpourri accents of dried cranberries, flower petals, and herbs make this wine highly complex. The mouthfeel is rich, luscious and velvety, with mild acidity, and finishes long.
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2014 Cabernet Franc EstateThe result of a cool vintage, this Cabernet Franc displays classic French leanness, offering vivid aromas of wild blackberry and plums, which give way to wild sagebrush and hints of the fragrant undergrowth prevalent in the hills of this area. A glossy mouthfeel is framed by fresh acidity and moderate tannins.
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2014 Cabernet SauvignonAged in neutral French oak for 21 months, this wine is elegant and complex with notes of winter spices, black tea, sweet tobacco and violets. Ripe cherry gives way to pepper, dried herbs and subtle oak nuances. Medium tannins allow you to enjoy now or cellar for 2-7 years.
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2010 Cabernet SauvignonBrambleberry, anise and black tea aromas are accentuated by wet earth, lipstick, dried herbs and cedar. Vibrant flavors of dark, spicy chocolate follow racy cranberry and dark cherry. A bold wine with excellent acidity, the wine is still youthful, but cellar ready.
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2013 Cabernet Sauvignon ReserveThis full-bodied, estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon has a strong nose of blackberry, cassis, roasted hazelnuts and black pepper. While on the palate the Boysenberry, candied almonds, roasted hazelnuts, cinnamon, anise, and vanilla spice abound.
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2012 Chardonnay100% grown on the Goodchild vineyard in Santa Maria Valley, our 2012 Chardonnay is well-structured blend of two distinctly different styles fuses together the bright acidity and powerful fruit forward aromas from the stainless steel portion with the deep, rich, buttery and toasty oak portion. A complex array of aromas like mango, pear, lemon meringue and key lime are interwoven with deep vanilla bean, sweet cream, and butterscotch aromas produced from the French oak.
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2015 ChardonnayThis spicy Chardonnay displays powerful lemon zest, vanilla, cinnamon and white pepper, accented by honeysuckle, rose petals, orange blossom, and caramel. Faintly sweet and smooth, a hint of oak makes for a pleasant and persistent finish.
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2015 Chardonnay ReserveAromas of lime peel, lemon grass, dried pineapples and mangos are elevated by a slate-like minerality, followed by subtle pear, tangerine, guava, honeysuckle, and nutty/vanillin French Oak. Racy and bright, this Chardonnay will match perfectly with rich pastas in white sauces or sea bass, or Pacific Rim cuisine.
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2015 ErosAromas packed with currant, blackberry and leather leads the palate into mouthwatering black tea, black cherry, blackberry and spice. A dense mouthfeel, prominent tannin structure and long-lasting finish make this wine a perfect pair with ribeye or lamb chops.
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2014 Founder's ReserveThe result of a cool vintage, this medium-bodied wine displays intense aromas of wild blackberries, plums, and Bing cherry preserves, which give way to subtle sage, mint and anise, followed by dark chocolate malt, dried herbs, and toasty oak vanilin.
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2012 Grand ReserveAt the core, the 2012 Grand Reserve delivers concentrated fruit aromatics of dark plum, dried cranberries and cassis, fused inextricably together with petrichor, wet/hot stones, dried herbs and sweet tobacco and smoky oak. Dark cherry compote and raspberry coulis flavors evolve into vanillin French oak, and finish with black tea, bitter-sweet cocoa, and anise. Powerful, complex and balanced, this wine has a superb mouth feel of medium tannin and acidity.
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2013 Grand Reserve
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2016 Grenache RoseStrawberries, Maraschino cherries, cranberries, red apples, rhubarb and white pepper are accented by bright citrus with a lightly sweet finish. This wine's medium body is framed by medium to high acidity. Best consumed in its youth to enjoy the freshness of the wine, SUNSTONE’s 2016 Grenache Rosé will develop some additional length and body for up to 4 years in bottle.
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2011 Lumiere Limited Edition SignedMocha, blackberries, black currant, and dark plum are enveloped by all-spice, black cherry cobbler, black tea and aged tobacco leaves, with hints of bitter-sweet dark chocolate, cedar, and caramel. Framed by velvety tannins and cellared for a year, Lumiere Noir is complex and perfectly balanced for your enjoyment now.
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2011 Lumiere NoirMocha, blackberries, black currant, and dark plum are enveloped by all-spice, black cherry cobbler, black tea and aged tobacco leaves, with hints of bitter-sweet dark chocolate, cedar, and caramel. Framed by velvety tannins Lumiere Noir is complex and balanced now, but requires proper cellaring for at least one year to reach it's peak.
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2014 Mason CuveeThis wine displays a combination of blackberry, dark plums and black cherries, layered by Earth, fresh dark coffee beans, black tea and tobacco leaves, dried Herbs de Provence, black pepper, smoked cedar, and French oak. Medium bodied, it’s framed well by a balance of fresh acidity and medium tannins.
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2006 Merlot
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2014 MerlotAromas of black cherries, wild blackberries and plums give way to hints of wild sagebrush, black olives, toasty oak, All-spice and vanilla. A glossy mouthfeel is framed by fresh acidity and moderate tannins.
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2017 Merlot Madness
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2014 Merlot ReserveBramble berries, blueberries, underripe cherries and dark plums are accented by cinnamon, brown sugar and white pepper, followed by subtle bay leaf, thyme, cayenne pepper, and a long finish of toasty French oak vanillin. This wine's medium-full bodied, rich mouthfeel is framed by fresh acidity and moderate tannins.
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2012 Merlot ReserveBlackberries, herbal tea, smoke, baking spices, dried bay leaves, black olives, and cedar box coalesce and evolve into a rich, yet medium-soft and velvety mouthful of cherry pie, finished by baked almonds, dark chocolate and vanilla bean.
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2010 Merlot Reserve
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2011 Merlot ReserveA spicy and floral array of complex aromas from crushed red peppers, rose petals, thyme, black tea, dill and white pepper elongate into dried cranberries, dark cherries, dark plum, blackberries, and orange rind, followed by caramel, subtle smoked cedar and wet-hot stones. This Reserve quality Merlot slowly evolves after 20-minutes into an elegant, heady wine with a superb mouth feel of velvety tannins balanced by perfect acidity.
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2014 MilestoneThis wine displays classic Bordelaise characteristics, vibrant black cherries and earthiness, followed by smoked herbs, raisins, white pepper, soy sauce, sage and toasty French oak.
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2014 Pinot NoirAn aromatic mix of Bing cherries, strawberries, plum and ripe persimmons, are followed by more subtle components of fennel seed, rhubarb, green tea with impressions of pie crust and cedar. This elegant Pinot is plush and velvety in texture, with firm tannins that frame a refined and delicate finish.
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2016 RoséCherries, raspberries, pears, with faint banana peel and dried chili flakes are accented by rich strawberries, red apples, watermelon with a long peppery finish. This wine's medium body is framed by bright acidity on the finish. Best consumed in its youth to enjoy the freshness of the wine, SUNSTONE’s 2016 Rosé will develop some additional length and body for up to 5 years in bottle.
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2014 Soleil RougeThis Super-Tuscan style blend has aromas of currants, cherries, raspberries, black olive, leather, anise, green tea, smoky oak, wet earth. Bright cranberries on the palate, give way to refreshing tart raspberries, followed by dried herbs and a medium/heavy French oak finish with medium tannins, and medium-bodied mouthfeel
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2004 Syrah
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2014 SyrahRich wild blackberry and ripe black cherry are accented by sarsaparilla-like herbs, coffee and vanilla barrel notes, ending in smoky spices, and dark chocolate and an exotic array of sweet spices and savory notes. The finish is very long and layered, with medium tannins
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2012 SyrahIntoxicating aromatics of blueberry cobbler, plumb jelly, chili powder and cedar shavings dominate the subtle clove, black pepper, smoky oak and anise. Structurally balanced, this Syrah has firm tannins and voluptuous mouth-feel with a significantly long, complex finish of blackberry pie, Crème brûlée, Allspice and toasty oak.
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2013 Villa SoleCinnamon, clove and mint decorate a wide array of aromas, from strawberry jam and tropical fruit flowers, to dried green herbs, truffles, black currants, tea, ripe figs and black olives. Flavors of cranberries, dried cherries and toasty oak. The wine is soft, round and well balanced with nice acidity.
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2016 ViognierThis wine opens with classical floral notes along with apple, pear and white peaches. The palate is generous with crisp acidity, making the wine drinker yearn for another sip. This wine is a perfect accompaniment to a warm summer day by the pool with friends and family.
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2016 Viognier "Linda's Vineyard"The 2016 Linda's Estate Viognier has honeysuckle and orange blossom aromas framed by light French Oak, vanilla and crème brûlée. Flavors of cantaloupe, pineapple, bosc pear and quince fruit marry perfectly with its caramel and toast notes. Its gorgeous and round mouthfeel envelop fruit and toast with beautifully balanced vibrant acidity which carry the floral and fruit notes to great intensity.