Tucked into the far eastern reaches of the Santa Ynez Valley, Happy Canyon welcomes visitors with stunning views of its valley framed by the picturesque scenery of the San Rafael Mountains. This region sits farther inland, enjoying a warmer climate- ideal for ripening late-season grape varieties. Its gently rolling hills, elevated slopes and diverse soils make it especially well-suited for Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon. Star Lane was planted eleven years before Happy Canyon would be recognized as an American Viticulture Area and is now considered one of the finest Cabernet vineyards in the state!
Second generation family proprietors and siblings Michael Dierberg and Ellen Dierberg Milne consider themselves stewards of Star Lane Vineyard, which was planted in 1998 by their parents Jim and Mary Dierberg. Before taking the helm at Star Lane Vineyard, winemaker Tyler Thomas apprenticed with Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti fame at the renowned HdV project in Napa. Tyler brings a minimalist approach to crafting wines of great depth from the estate vineyard, leading the wines to garner substantial attention from critics and collectors. Earning 95+ points from Jeb Dunnuck, this wine is truly a show-stopper, and could easily be mistaken for a top-notch Bordeaux in a blind tasting!
ANTONIO GALLONI 96 POINTS - "Tyler Thomas presented another gorgeous set of wines at Star Lane. These savory, old-school-inspired Cabernets consistently deliver outstanding quality and site character. Best of all, the wines remain very fairly priced, almost criminally so. Readers who enjoy structured Cabernets will find much to explore."
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Star Lane Vineyard is a fabulous wine that shows how compelling Cabernet Sauvignon can be in Happy Canyon. Rich, heady and explosive, the 2021 has it all. A rush of dark-toned fruit, black olives, leather, tobacco and incense all saturate the palate. This old-school, structured Cabernet is tremendous. What a wine."
JEB DUNNUCK 94 POINTS - "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon shows the fresher, elegant style of the vintage, with perfumed redcurrant and darker berry fruits as well as classic notes of cedar pencil, sappy herbs, and spicey, floral nuances. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, this medium to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon is balanced, has fine, nicely integrated tannins, and a great finish. It will have 15 years of longevity."
Second generation family proprietors and siblings Michael Dierberg and Ellen Dierberg Milne consider themselves stewards of Star Lane Vineyard, which was planted in 1998 by their parents Jim and Mary Dierberg. Before taking the helm at Star Lane Vineyard, winemaker Tyler Thomas apprenticed with Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti fame at the renowned HdV project in Napa. Tyler brings a minimalist approach to crafting wines of great depth from the estate vineyard, leading the wines to garner substantial attention from critics and collectors. Earning 95+ points from Jeb Dunnuck, this wine is truly a show-stopper, and could easily be mistaken for a top-notch Bordeaux in a blind tasting!
ANTONIO GALLONI 96 POINTS - "Tyler Thomas presented another gorgeous set of wines at Star Lane. These savory, old-school-inspired Cabernets consistently deliver outstanding quality and site character. Best of all, the wines remain very fairly priced, almost criminally so. Readers who enjoy structured Cabernets will find much to explore."
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Star Lane Vineyard is a fabulous wine that shows how compelling Cabernet Sauvignon can be in Happy Canyon. Rich, heady and explosive, the 2021 has it all. A rush of dark-toned fruit, black olives, leather, tobacco and incense all saturate the palate. This old-school, structured Cabernet is tremendous. What a wine."
JEB DUNNUCK 94 POINTS - "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon shows the fresher, elegant style of the vintage, with perfumed redcurrant and darker berry fruits as well as classic notes of cedar pencil, sappy herbs, and spicey, floral nuances. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, this medium to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon is balanced, has fine, nicely integrated tannins, and a great finish. It will have 15 years of longevity."
