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 Roussanne vineyards are among some of the most well taken care of fruit. In addition to all the love vineyard manager Ruben gives to the land, each cluster of grapes is rotated 180 degrees aa month before harvest to ensure even ripening, the perfect “rust” color, and that sun-kissed summer vibe

“Aromas of Asian pear and honeysuckle sprinkled with citrus tell the tale of a rich, indulgent Roussanne ready to coat the palette in full-bodied splendor. On the nose, one can almost smell the rich texture and the mouthfeel doesn’t disappoint. While opulence carries the day, complimentary notes of lychee, lemongrass, and jasmine bring a more delicate prettiness. Aromas of white flower give further lift while golden hay – the only evidence of toasty oak barrels – brings the wine to a long, luxurious finish”!

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.