The focus may be on great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but the classic Rhone varieties thrive here as well...
The Sarah's Vineyard estate is a labor of love for proprietor/winegrower Tim Slater, with 24 acres under cultivation in the cool climate "Mt. Madonna " district of the southern Santa Cruz Mountains range. Here in historic Hecker Pass, chilling winds and fog off nearby Monterey Bay mitigate the sunny daytime temperatures and extend hang time. Perfect conditions for growing world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The S.V. home estate is made up of three vineyards: the original Sarah's plantings and the newer "Timcat" and "Dwarf Oak" blocks. And while the Burgundian varietals may be S.V.'s claim to fame, Tim also cultivates his interest in the traditional Rhone varietals, with plantings of Grenache, Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Piquepoul Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Mourvèdre, and Counoise.
Herein lies the "secret" to great winemaking. Perfect climate and soils paired to a single-minded obsession with quality. We exercise complete control of the process, "from the dirt to the bottle" for our Estate and Reserve Series wines.
In addition to its own homegrown grapes, S.V. has nurtured long term relationships with some of the Central Coast’s best known vineyards. We work closely with growers in the Santa Lucia Highlands, Sta. Rita Hills, and Santa Cruz Mountains appellations. Drawing upon their fruit, we fashion limited releases of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that clearly reflect the terroir, the sense of place of these special locales.
These close partnerships ensure that S.V. receives its choice of the best quality fruit from these top estates for our Vineyard Designate and other limited releases.
Tondré Grapefield
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands
2013 to current
Rancho La Viña
Pinot Noir
Santa Rita Hills
2021 to current
Muns Vineyard
Pinot Noir
Santa Cruz Mountains
2016 to current
Besson Vineyard
Syrah
Santa Clara Valley
2005 to current
