Railsback Frères 'Cuvée Spéciale' Grenache Noir, Santa Barbara County, California 2021

Railsback Frères 'Cuvée Spéciale' Grenache Noir, Nolan Ranch, Santa Barbara County, California 2021
Railsback Frères was founded by brothers Eric and Lyle Railsback with the goal of producing soulful, Rhône-inspired wines from California’s Central Coast. The ‘Cuvée Spéciale’ Grenache Noir is sourced from Nolan Ranch, a meticulously farmed site in Santa Barbara County known for producing fruit of exceptional concentration and aromatic lift. The wine reflects a classic, old-world approach, with whole-cluster fermentation and neutral oak aging bringing out Grenache’s purity and savory complexity.

• WINEMAKER: Eric and Lyle Railsback

• FARMING: Sustainable farming practices at Nolan Ranch

• VARIETY: 100% Grenache Noir

• TERROIR: Nolan Ranch lies in the Los Alamos Valley of Santa Barbara County, a corridor that funnels cool Pacific breezes through sandy loam soils over clay subsoils. These conditions promote slow ripening, bright acidity, and detailed aromatics in Grenache.

• VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested fruit fermented with native yeasts, largely whole-cluster, in open-top fermenters. Gentle punchdowns to preserve elegance and aromatic expression.

• AGING: Aged in neutral French oak barrels to maintain transparency and highlight vineyard character.

• TASTING NOTES: Fragrant notes of wild strawberry, red cherry, and blood orange, accented by white pepper, garrigue, and dried rose. Medium-bodied with fine tannins, lively acidity, and a long, spice-tinged finish.

• FOOD PAIRINGS: Herb-crusted lamb, grilled sausages, ratatouille, or wild mushroom dishes