A Family affair in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. The Beckmens have established themselves as a leading grower and producer of Organic and Biodynamic wines. Their wines come from two vineyards planted in the Los Olivos District AVA and Ballard Canyon AVA. For the last 15 years all of their fruit has been picked exclusively at night to ensure the grapes are picked at the lowest temperature (one of the by-laws of Biodynamic farming). All of the grapes are hand-picked in small lots and only the ripest grapes are selected from each row and block.

2019 got off to a late start due to the late season rains in May. The summer was mild with a foggy pattern in place most of the early summer, followed by a dry and mild fall, keeping harvest on track for a late start and finish. Crop size was similar to 2018 with a few exceptions. The wines all possess the finest qualities from a milder season, with bright acidity, and fresh, ripe fruit. 51% Syrah, 38% Grenache, 6% Mourvèdre, and 5% Counoise.

Bio­dy­nam­ic farm­ing is the first type of farm­ing that can be con­sid­ered ​“organ­ic” and is the root of the organ­ic farm­ing meth­ods wide­ly known and prac­ticed today. Often con­fused with both organ­ic and sus­tain­able farm­ing prac­tices, bio­dy­nam­ic farm­ing meets all of the cri­te­ria of both, while also imple­ment­ing a set of eight nat­u­ral­ly derived, non-chem­i­cal, soil and plant treat­ments known as bio­dy­nam­ic prepa­ra­tions (preps). These herb and manure based preps are applied to the farm in var­i­ous sea­sons to help heal the earth and increase bio­di­ver­si­ty, espe­cial­ly in the soil.

92 WINE ENTHUSIST 

92 VINOUS

WINE NOTES

Notes of blackberries, blue fruits, pepper, dark cherry, licorice, and roasted herbs. Darker berry fruits as well as peppery herbs and earthy, meaty nuances to go with a medium-bodied, mouth-filling, chewy, satisfying style on the palate. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years. 14.8% Alc.