What do wines from France and Santa Barbara County have in common? The answer may surprise you. If you've ever sipped on a Santa Barbara County Rhone style wine, you know that these wines mimic the flavors of their French counterparts. And one of the top producers, who also offers some of the more consumer-friendly prices, is Stolpman!
Officially purchased in 1990 and releasing its first commercial vintage in 1997, Stolpman Vineyards has emerged as a premier producer of Northern Rhône-style wines in Santa Barbara's Ballard Canyon AVA. Situated on a rare outcropping of limestone, the site benefits from a unique north-south orientation-unlike the county's predominantly east-west valleys-which provides moderate shelter from harsh winds and fog. This warmer microclimate, paired with limestone soils, creates ideal conditions for classic Rhône varietals like Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Viognier. Winemakers Kyle Knapp and Matt Nocas craft these prized wines with a commitment to minimal intervention and meticulous care, utilizing native yeast fermentations and relying on the dedicated, full-time Stolpman crew, "La Cuadrilla," to manage every aspect of farming and production entirely by hand. The resulting wines balance vibrant fruit flavors with subtle savory and earthy complexity.
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 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 15% Sangiovese.
With how great of a value this bottling is, there is no wonder that Billy Norris of Antonio Galloni's Vinous Media has given a 93-point score to the 2024 La Cuadrilla, calling it "flat-out delicious" and "a fabulous wine". The combination of meticulous craftsmanship with a heart for community, this latest vintage captures everything that makes Ballard Canyon special. Whether you're drawn to its unique French-inspired terroir, its commitment to year-round sustainable farming, or its unbeatable value, Stolpman's La Cuadrilla stands out as a bottle that delivers far beyond its price tag.
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 93 POINTS - "A blend of 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 15% Sangiovese, the 2024 La Cuadrilla is flat-out delicious. At once both bright and velvety-rich, the 2024 soaks into the palate with lively layers of black cherry, cinnamon, rose petal, orange zest and gravelly mineral tones. The textural harmony and brilliance of the acids are undeniable. The 2024 is a fabulous wine and—best of all—a ridiculous value. I would be a happy camper if more restaurants would put wines like this on their by-the-glass lists."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS - "As ever, the 2024 La Cuadrilla is a Syrah-dominant blend that includes Grenache and Sangiovese, with the proceeds distributed among Stolpman's vineyard crew. Black fruits, herbs, citrus and stony flourishes come together on the nose, introducing a luscious, succulent palate and a crunchy, chalky finish that lingers with floral overtones."
Officially purchased in 1990 and releasing its first commercial vintage in 1997, Stolpman Vineyards has emerged as a premier producer of Northern Rhône-style wines in Santa Barbara's Ballard Canyon AVA. Situated on a rare outcropping of limestone, the site benefits from a unique north-south orientation-unlike the county's predominantly east-west valleys-which provides moderate shelter from harsh winds and fog. This warmer microclimate, paired with limestone soils, creates ideal conditions for classic Rhône varietals like Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Viognier. Winemakers Kyle Knapp and Matt Nocas craft these prized wines with a commitment to minimal intervention and meticulous care, utilizing native yeast fermentations and relying on the dedicated, full-time Stolpman crew, "La Cuadrilla," to manage every aspect of farming and production entirely by hand. The resulting wines balance vibrant fruit flavors with subtle savory and earthy complexity.
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 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 15% Sangiovese.
With how great of a value this bottling is, there is no wonder that Billy Norris of Antonio Galloni's Vinous Media has given a 93-point score to the 2024 La Cuadrilla, calling it "flat-out delicious" and "a fabulous wine". The combination of meticulous craftsmanship with a heart for community, this latest vintage captures everything that makes Ballard Canyon special. Whether you're drawn to its unique French-inspired terroir, its commitment to year-round sustainable farming, or its unbeatable value, Stolpman's La Cuadrilla stands out as a bottle that delivers far beyond its price tag.
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 93 POINTS - "A blend of 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 15% Sangiovese, the 2024 La Cuadrilla is flat-out delicious. At once both bright and velvety-rich, the 2024 soaks into the palate with lively layers of black cherry, cinnamon, rose petal, orange zest and gravelly mineral tones. The textural harmony and brilliance of the acids are undeniable. The 2024 is a fabulous wine and—best of all—a ridiculous value. I would be a happy camper if more restaurants would put wines like this on their by-the-glass lists."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS - "As ever, the 2024 La Cuadrilla is a Syrah-dominant blend that includes Grenache and Sangiovese, with the proceeds distributed among Stolpman's vineyard crew. Black fruits, herbs, citrus and stony flourishes come together on the nose, introducing a luscious, succulent palate and a crunchy, chalky finish that lingers with floral overtones."
