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. Tim exercises 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. Tim works closely with growers in the Santa Lucia Highlands, Sta. Rita Hills, and Santa Cruz Mountains appellations. Drawing upon their fruit, he fashions 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.
Bruzzone Family Vineyard
Chardonnay
Santa Cruz Mountains
2007 to 2017
Veranda Vineyard
Pinot Noir
Santa Cruz Mountains
2007
White Sage Ranch
Pinot Noir
Santa Lucia Highlands
2011 to 2015
Tondré Grapefield
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands
2013 to current
Boer Vineyard
Pinot Noir
Chalone
2015
Besson Vineyard
Old Vine Zinfandel
Santa Clara Valley
2001 to 2013
Besson Vineyard
Syrah
Santa Clara Valley
2005 to current
Fratelli Vineyard
Charbono
Paso Robles
2007 to 2014
Pear Valley Vineyard
Charbono
Paso Robles
2016
Mederios Family
Cabernet Sauvignon
Santa Clara Valley
2013 to 2014
Mederios Family
Merlot
Santa Clara Valley
2016
