Stolpman Vineyards lies on a rare outcropping of limestone in Santa Barbara's newly-established Ballard Canyon AVA. What makes Ballard Canyon so different from the rest of Santa Barbara is that most of the valleys within the county are in an east/west orientation. Ballard Canyon, however, is north/south, which means the region is moderately sheltered from fog and winds. Ballard Canyon is warmer than the surrounding areas, but combined with the soils, this maked for an ideal location for Rhone varietals, such as Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Viognier. The Stolpman Vineyard has established itself as one of the prized vineyards in this region.
La Cuadrilla is Spanish for "the crew", and the proceeds from this wine go back to the farming crew. The core of the wine is harvested from the crew's Cuadra, a vineyard block that Vineyard Manager Ruben Solorzano gives the crew each year to encourage proactive farming and decision making. Winemaker Sashi Moorman then blends more of the estate’s wine into Cuadrilla, ensuring the wine accounts for at least 10% of Stolpman's production each year. La Cuadrilla symbolizes the dedication at Stolpman to sustainable year-round employment rather than reliance on migrant labor. This year, La Cuadrilla is a blend of 50% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, and 15% Sangiovese.
ANTONIO GALLONI 92 POINTS - "The 2023 La Cuadrilla is a fabulous entry-level offering. Bright, punchy and full of character, the 2023 delivers superb quality and striking purity of fruit. It’s also a fabulous value. This blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Sangiovese is lights-out."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS - "A blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Sangiovese whose proceeds are divided among Stolpman's vineyard workers, the 2023 La Cuadrilla is one of the better values in all California wine. It opens with a beautifully floral, energetic nose supplemented with focused, leathery accents. The palate is plush and succulent, concluding with a quenching, juicy and simply delicious finish framed by fine-grained tannins."
La Cuadrilla is Spanish for "the crew", and the proceeds from this wine go back to the farming crew. The core of the wine is harvested from the crew's Cuadra, a vineyard block that Vineyard Manager Ruben Solorzano gives the crew each year to encourage proactive farming and decision making. Winemaker Sashi Moorman then blends more of the estate’s wine into Cuadrilla, ensuring the wine accounts for at least 10% of Stolpman's production each year. La Cuadrilla symbolizes the dedication at Stolpman to sustainable year-round employment rather than reliance on migrant labor. This year, La Cuadrilla is a blend of 50% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, and 15% Sangiovese.
ANTONIO GALLONI 92 POINTS - "The 2023 La Cuadrilla is a fabulous entry-level offering. Bright, punchy and full of character, the 2023 delivers superb quality and striking purity of fruit. It’s also a fabulous value. This blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Sangiovese is lights-out."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS - "A blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Sangiovese whose proceeds are divided among Stolpman's vineyard workers, the 2023 La Cuadrilla is one of the better values in all California wine. It opens with a beautifully floral, energetic nose supplemented with focused, leathery accents. The palate is plush and succulent, concluding with a quenching, juicy and simply delicious finish framed by fine-grained tannins."
