Stolpman Vineyards. If you don’t know the name, know this: The wines are solid and the family is a collection of amazing, and some of my favorite, people. The Estate Syrah is always a great gateway into Syrah. I often refer to it as a “Pinot-Lovers Syrah”.  It has thick, tantalizing red fruit through the palate with a fresh profile. The fierce red fruit bursting through the experience and as the wine opens in the glass, more soul begins to emerge out of the pure prettiness.

Located in Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara, the Stolpman family is leading the charge on everything from winemaking practices to ethical policy. Vineyard Manager Ruben was born in Jalisco, hired by the Stolpmans (who in 2006 built him and his family a house on the property and saw him through the immigration process.) They are constantly giving back to their community and their employees, including a wine, La Cuadrilla, whose proceeds go entirely back to Ruben's full-time/year-round crew.