Upper Ojai, Ventura County

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Our barbera comes from the warm upper reaches of Ojai Valley, and it’s just an explosive wine! Barbera is a unique grape in that it tenaciously holds onto acidity even when grown in heat, and provides vibrant fruity flavors and deep color in regions where other grapes would suffer from the heat and not color fully. It’s hearty in that sense, but is too often grown and made to be innocuous.

But boy, this barbera is anything but innocuous! It’s a bold, brash and delicious wine. The signature acidity of this grape is flashy in a core with bright fruity flavors of pomegranate and blood orange, which is swaddled up with sweeter, more succulent dark cherry and blueberry. It’s aromatically fruit-focused too, with appealing streaks of floral and herbal fragrances. It’s a refreshing joy to drink—with a slight chill it’s just perfect for the dog days of summer.

Press Reviews

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“The 2016 Barbera Rich Vineyard is yet another highlight in this range. Vibrant plum fruit gives the 2016 tons of varietal expression. Interestingly, Adam Tolmach and Fabien Castel chose to make this wine with 75% whole clusters, which is not at all customary with Barbera in Italy, and yet that approach works brilliantly here. Pliant and wonderfully nuanced, the 2016 has so much to offer.” Antonio Galloni- 92 Points

Jeb Dunnuck

“I loved the 2016 Barbera Rich Vineyard, an undeniably charming, fruity, forward effort that has explosive fruit, medium body, no hard edges, and a great finish. Drink up.” Jeb Dunnuck- 90 Points