Stolpman Winery, Love You Bunches, Sangiovese, Santa Barbara, California 2020

Over 20 years ago, founding partner Tom Stolpman, discovered what he believes to be one of the greatest viticultural sites on earth.  Hidden in the hills of California’s Central Coast, on a rare Limestone outcropping and unobstructed from the Pacific Ocean wind, this unique land is naturally suited to grow Syrah,  Roussanne and other grapes.  They are committed to preserving this natural environment for the vines through conscious farming, dry farming, and sustainable employment.  In the winery, they prefer native fermentation and minimal manipulation.  In essence doing everything as naturally to allow the wine to express it’s purest form.

Jessican and Pete Stolpman now run the winery.  They met while working for a Southern California wine distributor.  Pete left his day job to go full time at Stolpman Vineyards in early 2009.  First thing he did was to stop selling most of the fruit as his father had done to make more estate wine.  Once his first vintage was in barrel, he continued to make improvements on the winery.  Adding custom concrete and carbonic fermenting tanks was one of his favorite additions.  Meanwhile Jessica supported Pete, financially and otherwise as he tried to sustain the then fledging winery.  Once they got married in July of 2013, Jessica left her day job and took over management of Stolpman Vineyards in California.  Today she balances running their largest wholesale market while raising their 2 sons.

They began producing Carbonic Sangiovese in 2013 in an effort to make a fresh, delicious version of Sangiovese.  Sangiovese as a grape, is both highly tannic and high in acid – a one-two combination that can deliver a whopping blow to the palate. Before they experimented with carbonic fermentation, they intentionally picked Sangiovese on the ripe side to allow for tannins and acids to soften.  Then they aged the wine in barrel for 30 months and another 6 months in bottle prior to release.  The extended age allowed for the tannin and acid to integrate, as the fruit profile and mid-palate richness enveloped any harshness on the finish. Carbonic Fermentation – allowing the grapes to ferment whole, uncrushed in a sealed tank– allows for a red wine containing only a fraction of the tannin present in a traditionally fermented red wine.  Without the threat of an overly tannic wine, they can pick earlier, at lower sugar and high, refreshing acidity.  Because they do not need to wait for integration, the wine is bottled within a few months of harvest, locking in the fresh, un-oxidized profile.  In 2016 they re-branded Carbonic Sangiovese “Love You Bunches” – a pun on the gentle treatment of the whole grape bunches.  All grapes must be kept intact through fermentation.  Of course, the simple, whimsical label is the perfect fit for this fun, happy wine.  The label shows off vineyard manager and Grape Whisperer, Ruben Solorzano’s beautiful penmanship.

Serve cold! The Long 2020 carbonic Sangiovese harvest led to a wine that delivers in immediate approachability.  The typical Love You Bunches pizzazz of fresh red berry fruit and cherries that all adore give way to lychee and pomegranate.  Fleshier and softer than the more angular 2018 and 2019 vintages, the 2020 has a more cushioned mid-palate.  Rico Suave!  Darker notes of plum and pluot accompanied by signature tartness and lingering acidity.