This may be a relatively new estate in the Sta. Rita Hills, but it is already the talk of the town in the California wine scene, an up-and-coming future star that we are delighted to have joining our portfolio.
Donnachadh is an organically farmed 285 acre property with 40 planted to vines – Chardonnay, Pinot, Syrah and Gamay, certified in 2020. It was established in 2013 by Drew Duncan who had searched the length and breadth of California for many years to find this ideal site. The vineyards are split in 2 distinctly different terroirs, the north-facing hillside vines are battered by a constant cooling ocean wind and planted on marine shale and rocky clay. The lower riverside blocks are more sheltered and have gravelly, sandy loam soils. The wines demonstrate the terroir in their fine structure, fresh acidity and a perfect balance of ripe, yet nuanced and elegant fruit.
In the cellar, Ernst Storm is on board and making the wines. He brings an expertise and encyclopedic knowledge of this particular corner of Santa Barbara, and has proved to be an adept translator of the unique terroir. The Chardonnay is foot stomped before pressing to barrel, the Pinot and Gamay are partially destemmed and the Syrah fully. The wines are all classically styled, nuanced, layered and destined for greatness. Already lauded by some of the most influential critics, as the vineyard matures the wines will continue to improve further and will no doubt be ranked among the best of not just the Sta. Rita Hills, but all of California.
