2023 Vintage Report
“We are thrilled with this vintage!”
—Tyler Thomas
2023 proved a relief from drought and a benefit to our vineyard in Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara. The winter of 2022-2023 produced much needed record rainfall which completely saturated the soil profile and led to a long and cool winter/spring. Our vineyard clearly appreciated the boost in fresh water as it emerged strongly if slowly throughout the Spring. As Spring gave way to Summer, cool temperatures remained, setting up what was one of the coolest vintages we've had since 2011. Harvesting at Star Lane Vineyard began on September 6th, the latest in Tyler's tenure (and the only vintage of eleven that didn't begin with Sauvignon Blanc in August). It was not until a spate of "normal" heat spikes that things really kicked into gear for Cabernet Sauvignon and its Bordelaise companions. These finishing warm spells boosted the potential for richer wines, and a vintage that was shaping up to be akin to 2019 in freshness and energy turned into something more like 2013. The result in Cabernet is an expression of cassis with herbal notes paired with power and richness. It is shaping up to be a vintage that shows off Star Lane's world class seriousness and charm all at the same time. We are thrilled!
Our Bee Highway
Our viticulture team has created what is known as a “Bee Highway” at Star Lane Vineyard, running all the way from the entry gate at the estate to the winery, two miles up the road and past the vineyard. Says Taylor Jones, PhD, Star Lane’s viticulturalist, “Bee highways are basically roads made of flowers that help connect green spaces with urban areas, giving bees a route to transverse (thus expanding their habitable zone) and providing pollen along the way. For Star Lane, there’s no urban area nearby, but this highway connects the whole ranch together so native pollinators have an easy route to travel and expand their populations.”
Read more about Star Lane Vineyard in Santa Barbara Magazine
Pick a Little Early, Pick a Little Late
Watch as Tyler Thomas explains his theory on picking some blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon a little earlier than timed, and some blocks a little later than timed. The secret to excellent wine? Knowing your vineyard; which is something that can’t be automated.