N.V. Sans Liege The Prophetess

Sans Liege is a young winery founded and run by maverick winemaker Curt Schalchlin. The name of the winery means “without a master,” and from the off-beat names he chooses for his wines, to his headquarters in Pismo Beach, Schalchlin is earning a reputation for championing Rhone Valley-inspired wines crafted from Central Coast fruit. Schalchlin sources fruit from vineyards up and down the Central Coast, from Paso Robles to Santa Barbara County, and he makes a large portfolio of red and white wines, many of them blends. He works with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne and Counoise. Wine Advocate has rated Sans Liege wines in the low 90s, and noted in 2014 that “Curt Schalchlin continues to produce a bevy of outstanding wines under his Sans Liege label. These never lack for fruit, texture or character…”

Santa Barbara County is not an AVA, but a region just south of San Luis Obispo that includes the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley appellations. Wine has been produced in the area since the 18th century when Spanish missionaries planted vineyards. It wasn’t until the 1990s, however, that producers focused on growing premier grapes for fine wines. During the 1990s more than 10,000 acres of vineyards were planted, and today there are nearly 20,000 acres of vineyards. The region received a big bump in recognition and prestige when the popular film “Sideways” was shot there in 2004. Because the region is affected by maritime weather, it is relatively cool climate makes it ideal for Chardonnay. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and an increasingly adventuresome number of varietals are also grown successfully in Santa Barbara County.