Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/735024
{ real somm stories } 114 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2016 three champions embody Santa Maria Valley. They have believed in this region always, they are making truly wonderful wines and have mentored many, even if it took a more than a few years to gain recognition. "The man has never let me down in my whole career," says Dame referring to Clendenen. "Then, here comes along Qupé, and I fall in love all over again, and then, Lane, you've been making great wines since the beginning." The respect and camaraderie is palpable and is so refreshing and inspiring for us to witness. Post the epic panel, we tour the Presqu'ile facilities, a wine-loving family from Louisiana making their dreams come true. Co-founder and President Matt Murphy tells us that, "For my money, this is the best place in all of the West Coast to grow Pinot Noir—and we looked extensively." Winemaker Dieter Cronje, originally from South Africa, corroborates this statement and expands on the unique site: "We are able to make an elegant, gentle style of wine here." We graciously then get to taste not only the Presqu'ile wines but many other of the area's small producers' wines—again affirm - ing the special community of Santa Barbara wine country. In addition to visiting the iconic Sanford & Benedict and Bien Nacido Vineyards as well as exploring the bound-for-future-fame vineyards of Ballard Canyon and Santa Maria Valley, the pioneers of Santa Barbara County, old and new, more than impressed our group of gratified wine enthusiasts. "We haven't been giving Santa Barbara enough love lately, and what's going on here is something pretty special," expresses Dame. Indeed. VP of Sales and Marketing Nicholas Miller (Thornhill Companies and family owned Bien Nacido Vineyards); Winemaker Bo Felton of Duckhorn Migration; Regional Sales Manager Matt Duncan of Silver Oak and Twomey; Russell P. From of Herman Story Winery; Adam Tolmach of The Ojai Vineyard; and Fred Dame. "If you're looking for the passion and the creativity and the com- munity, you can look no further than right here," says Fred Dame of panelists Lane Tanner, Jim Clendenen and Bob Lindquist. "e fruit here yields a citrusy, spicy antique drawer. Terroir-driven wines are the goal."