2011 Jonata El Alma de Jonata

Jonata is a small, relatively new producer in Santa Barbara County, on California’s Central Coast. It is owned by E. Stanley Kroenke. Kroenke also owns the original cult California producer, Screaming Eagle. Jonata is in the Santa Ynez appellation and it consists of 586 acres with 83 acres under cultivation. The winemaker is Matt Dees, a soil scientist with winemaking experience in Napa Valley and New Zealand. The estate produces Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and a Red Wine Vineyard Blend.

Santa Ynez Valley AVA is home to more wineries than any other area in Santa Barbara County. The appellation was established in 1983 and it includes a total of 76,800 acres, of which 1,500 acres are vineyards. Chardonnay is the dominant grape in this appellation, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. The appellation runs east and west with temperatures and microclimates changing significantly from warmer in the east to cool by the time the district gets close to the Pacific Ocean. In recent years Rhone-style wines have been successfully made here, and vineyards now are also planted to Syrah, Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache, Mourvedre and Marsanne.

This is a parent grape to Cabernet Sauvignon. It most likely originates from Basque country. It is an excellent blending grape, known for making the exquisite Cheval-Blanc. Franc is a little hardier on a vine than Sauvignon, but drinks smoothly at the table.