Tyler Wine
Growing up in Santa Barbara, Justin’s connection to this corner of California runs deep. It was while working at Arcadian cellars in the Santa Rita Hills as Assistant Winemaker, having studied at the University of the Pacific on a golf scholarship, that Justin decided to start producing a few barrels of his own wine.
It was 2005, he was just 24 years old, and Tyler was born.
Now, almost two decades on, Justin has established Tyler as one of California’s most exciting wineries. Justin speaks with confidence and wisdom about his vineyards and winemaking, and his wines have an understated assurance to them. He has outstanding connections with the owners of some of the best vineyards in the region, and that gives access to excellent fruit.
More recently, Justin has put his money where his mouth is, purchasing a ranch with his wife in 2015, on which they’ve planted 28 acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and a tiny amount of Syrah. This has been named Mae Estate.
And in 2021 Justin led a partnership which took on ownership of the legendary Fiddlestix vineyard. All of this has given him greater control over his supply. He farms organically, albeit not dogmatically, with a real focus on holistic vineyard health.
Meanwhile, in the cellar his are wines that are unencumbered by winemaking techniques, or heavy use of oak. Rather, they’re sophisticated wines with individual vineyard definition in spades: Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays with a real sense of place, but with more than a half an eye on Burgundy.
Justin works with some of Santa Rita Hills’ most celebrated vineyards – from Sanford & Benedict, La Rinconada, and Fiddlestix. But don’t overlook his entry-level wines, with a blend of vineyards from the region, that outperform their price points; nor his refined, impressive Cabernet Sauvignons. Justin is clearly a winemaker of many talents.
1
Sanford & Benedict Vineyard
The Sanford & Benedict vineyard, located in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, was planted in 1971 and is home to the oldest Pinot Noir vines in Santa Barbara County. The soils in the western Santa Ynez Valley have lower quantities of clay than other areas of the valley. They are comprised of Gazos clay loam, with 15% to 30% slopes, and Santa Lucia shaley clay loam, with 9% to 15% slopes in blocks 5, 6 and 10. The area receives foggy mornings and long, cool days, resulting in a longer growing season and lower yields.
2
Los Alamos Vineyard
Los Alamos lies between the cool Santa Maria Valley appellation to the north and the warmer Santa Ynez Valley appellation to the south. The region seems to have the best characteristics of both appellations. To date the Los Alamos Valley does not have a federally approved appellation and wines are labeled under the more generic Santa Barbara County designation.
Perched at an elevation of 800 ft (high for Santa Barbara), Los Alamos is characterized by its cool climate, intense California sunshine, and most importantly it’s sand and lime soils. This leads to intensely mineral and citrus driven Chardonnay, while the Pinot Noir exudes red fruit, lavender, and rosemary.
3
Bien Nacido Vineyard
Located 18 miles from the ocean in the Santa Maria Valley, the Bien Nacido Vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The vines grow in soils comprised of the Elder series and Shedd series. The Elder series consists of two blocks, found on flood plains and alluvial fans with an elevation range of 100 to 1,500 feet, with 9% to 15% slopes. The site experiences an average annual rainfall of 12 to 18 inches. Just uphill along the road is where the well-drained, Chamise clay loams of the Shedd series can be found. Slopes here are 30% to 45% and elevations range from 200 to 2,500 feet, with an average annual rainfall of 14 to 16 inches.
4
Zotovitch Vineyard
The terroir of Zotovitch Vineyard in Santa Barbara County is characterized by its diverse microclimates rich soil, creating an ideal environment for grape cultivation. The vineyard benefits from the cooling coastal breezes and ample sunshine, which contribute to the perfect balance of acidity and ripeness in the grapes. This unique combination of factors allows for the production of exceptional wines that showcase the true essence of the region. At Zotovitch Vineyard, the commitment to understanding and nurturing the terroir is evident in every bottle, offering a genuine taste of Santa Barbara's wine country.
Gavin Chanin brings a unique artistic touch to the world of wine by painting his own labels. Each label reflects his passion for both winemaking and art, transforming the bottle into a canvas that tells a story. This personal approach not enhances the aesthetic appeal of his wines but also connects consumers to the artistry behind each sip. Gavin’s labels are a testament to his creativity making every bottle a work of art in its own right.
