WINE CLUB NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2018 UPDATE

CLUB SUNSTONE RELEASE Harvest is almost upon us! Recently, we have started seeing throughout the Sunstone . This week we were approximately 30% through the process of “coloring up”. For a winemaker, nothing signals the ground-rush SEPTEMBER 2018 sensation of an impending harvest like the coloring of the crop. This is Mother Nature’s way of announcing: “It’s on!” We have a lot of work to do to get ready for harvest, including bottling several from the 2016 and 2017 . CLUB SUNSTONE CLUB SUNSTONE We bottle these, as they are ready to get out of barrel or tank storage, and because the wines need to stop the rapid LEGACY HERITAGE evolution we see in barrel and start the slow and steady improvement we get in the bottle.

ALL REDS: ALL REDS: The 2018 crop is looking very strong. Flowering and fruit set looked great, and we are set up for great quality and quantity. We have experienced some pretty warm days over the past few weeks, but most winemakers are still (2) 2016 Milestone (3) 2016 Milestone predicting that we will be a couple of weeks behind last year. In addition to monitoring fruit, we are working to (1) 2016 Mason Cuvée (3) 2016 Mason Cuvée prepare the for the upcoming crush. We are furiously cleaning barrels, tanks and bins, and bottling as much as we can to make way for our new fruit. MIXED: MIXED: (1) 2016 Milestone (2) 2016 Milestone Anyone who is planning to visit the Sunstone Estate during the harvest should get a chance to check out the young (1) 2016 Mason Cuvée (2) 2016 Mason Cuvée fermentations and the one-year-old in barrels to see them in both of those states. It’s a great thing to be able to (1) 2017 (2) 2017 Chardonnay manage a wine through this process, and I really love to give others a taste of the experience.

Club Sunstone: Vintners Selection Release Happy Harvest 2018 and Cheers! (1) 2016 , Estate - Matt Smith, Winemaker 2017 Chardonnay 2016 Mason Cuvée

COMPOSITION COMPOSITION 50% 2017 Chardonnay, La Presa Vineyard, Santa Barbara County 84% , Santa Ynez Valley 50% 2017 Chardonnay, Goodchild Vineyard, Santa Barbara County 8% Cabernet Franc, Santa Ynez Valley 8% , Santa Ynez Valley TASTING NOTES Granny Smith Apples, lemon curd, pineapple, and warm vanilla leap out of the glass. The palate TASTING NOTES is full bodied with sweet citrus notes, butterscotch, green melon, and light toast. Glossy Fresh plum, black and blueberries, and wild raspberries with a touch of smoke on the nose. The mouthfeel and a long lingering finish make this Chardonnay incredibly elegant and well balanced. Syrah provides a touch of black pepper, leather, and smoked meat. The wine finishes long and has accents of dried violets, French oak, and medium + acidity to balance the rich fruit flavors. The grapes were gently pressed off the skins in a zero-oxygen environment to preserve freshness WINEMAKING and prevent premature oxidation. Once cold settled the wine was racked and fermented in Grapes for the 2016 Mason Cuvée come from across the Sunstone Estate. Each lot was hand- stainless steel at a chilling 50 degrees using a combination of wild type and commercial yeasts for picked at night and delivered to the winery in the early morning. The fruit was then destemmed almost 6 weeks. A small portion of the wine was native fermented in neutral French oak barrels. and lightly crushed into a combination of stainless steel fermenters and small fermentation boxes Post fermentation the wine was stored in all neutral French oak barrels for 7 months where it where it was left to cold settle for a few days before being inoculated to start fermentation. underwent periodic “batonnage” which is a process of homogenizing the with the finished During fermentation each lot was given twice daily attention either by pumpover or punchdown. wine to enhance mouthfeel and create a sense of creaminess. The wine was blended to taste and After fermentation the lots were gently pressed off the skin with minimal tumbling to limit harsh bottled in August 2018. seed tannins from entering the finished wine. After aging in a combination of neutral and new French oak barrels for 20 months the lots were blended to taste and bottled in August 2018.

$35.00 Retail $28.00 Legacy & Heritage Member $50.00 Retail $40.00 Legacy & Heritage Member 2016 Milestone 2016 Cabernet Franc, Estate

COMPOSITION COMPOSITION 75% Merlot, Santa Ynez Valley 100% Cabernet Franc, Sunstone Estate, Santa Ynez Valley 20% Cabernet Franc, Santa Ynez Valley 5% , Santa Ynez Valley TASTING NOTES Licorice, leather, crushed cranberries, sweet tobacco, and black cherry aromas. Warm French TASTING NOTES vanilla, wild blueberries, clove, anise, and lingonberry are framed by soft tannins and medium Aromas of mixed berry jam, baking spices, and sage are complemented by black currants, acidity. Our tiny Cabernet Franc lot is highly sought after and prized for its balance of fruit and plum, dried figs and sturdy tannins on the palate. This year’s Milestone blend is complex yet . sophisticated enough to pair with classic French cuisine or an afternoon in the courtyard. WINEMAKING WINEMAKING The 2016 Estate Cabernet Franc, located on the western most edge of the Sunstone Estate, was hand- Grapes for the 2016 Milestone come from across the Sunstone Estate. Each lot was hand-picked picked the night coming into October 12th, 2016. Once received, the fruit was destemmed and gently at night and delivered to the winery in the early morning. The fruit was then destemmed and crushed into a single stainless-steel fermentation tank. The must was left to cold soak for three days lightly crushed into stainless steel tanks where they were left to cold settle for a few days before before initiating fermentation to assist in color extraction. During fermentation the wine received being inoculated to start fermentation. During fermentation each lot was given twice daily gentle twice daily pumpovers until the optimal level of color and flavor was extracted. Post-fermentation pumpovers to extract color and flavor from the skins. After fermentation the lots were gently the wine was gently pressed off the skins with minimal tumbling to reduce the impact of harsh seed pressed off the skin with minimal tumbling to limit harsh seed tannins from entering the finished tannins. The overall barrel lot consisted of about 40% new French Oak. After 20 months of barrel wine. After aging in a combination of neutral and new French oak barrels for 20 months the lots aging the three highest quality barrels were selected to blend together and bottle in August 2018. were blended to taste and bottled in August 2018. *Please note - This is a Club Sunstone: Vintners Selection bottle ONLY. To receive this bottle in your September club shipment, Vintners Selection must have been added-on to your current Club Sunstone membership prior $50.00 Retail to September release. $40.00 Legacy & Heritage Member $70.00 Retail $56.00 Legacy & Heritage Member Upgrade to Founders Club- Stay at the Villa!

For those members that upgrade to a Founders membership before August 29th, 2018 we would like to thank you for your dedication to us, with a one night stay in a Villa suite for two guests.

UPGRADE NOW Save the Date!

Stomp 2018 Due to strong demand for our world renowned Sunstone Villa, we have decided to limit access Saturday, October 6th to overnight stays to members of our Founders Club (12 bottles per shipment). 8:30am -1:00pm The great news is we are offering you, our Legacy and Heritage Club Members, the first our signature annual event opportunity to upgrade your membership to a limited availability Founders Club membership. More details coming soon! For more information please contact Club Sunstone. (805) 688-9463 ext 401 [email protected] Now accepting reservations for 2018 Holiday Experiences

Transport your family, friends or employees to the French countryside for a private, upscale experience this holiday season at our world renowned Sunstone Villa.

From small family gatherings to wine and culinary experiences for large companies, Sunstone has several distinct areas of the winery that can be reserved this holiday season. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram Contact Amanda Landon for group packages and availability. Book Now (805) 688-9463 ext 230 [email protected] 125 N Refugio Rd. Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (805) 688-9463 www.sunstonewinery.com