Although these wines are no longer available directly from the winery, tasting notes for past vintages are included in this section for those who may still have a few bottles in their cellar.

Sauvignon Blanc, 2007

The 2007 wine is a light gold color with a hint of chartreuse that glints and glistens in the glass. Almost too pretty to disturb, a swirl provides a sensory treat of acacia blossom and lemon-lime mingling with passionfruit. Perky notes of honeydew melon, just-ripe pineapple and ruby-red grapefruit please the palate and linger with reminders of wild sage and the minerality that evokes the Great Oaks Ranch sense of place.

Sauvignon Blanc, 2006

At first glance, it is evident that this is an exceptional wine. A beautiful pale green-gold, almost of spun gold, shimmers in the glass. A first swirl produces a bouquet of lemon-lime, honeysuckle and hints of the tropics. Remembrances of magnolia on a summer night linger as a first sip coats the palate and wakes up the taste buds. A lively acidity, citrusy with key lime overtones, leads to kumquat, guava and the characteristic lychee notes that seem to always be present in Great Oaks Sauvignon Blanc. Beautifully balanced, the aromatic profile continues to surround the palate, with hibiscus tea like tannins providing an intriguing contrast to the lemon meringue pie texture.

Sauvignon Blanc, 2005

The Sauvignon Blanc from Great Oaks Ranch was harvested by hand in October of 2005 and immediately transported to the winery, where it was whole cluster pressed to stainless steel to begin fermentation. The fermenting wine was then gravity racked to neutral French Oak barrels, where it completed fermentation. Malolactic fermentation was inhibited. These deliberate decisions in the cellar allow the pure essence of the Musque clone to shine forth in the wine.

Sauvignon Blanc, 2004

In searching for inspiration and ultimately a paradigm for this wine, we quickly centered on two distinct styles of Sauvignon Blanc. We wanted this Sauvignon Blanc to be somewhere in the middle of the overly tropical, zingy, zippy, grassy S.B’s from New Zealand and the lean, mineral-laiden, citrusy examples from the Loire Valley in France. We think that this vintage finds the perfect balance between these two distinct styles. It has the typical racy acidity associated with Sauvignon Blanc, complexed with lush tropical-citrus flavors.

Syrah, 2005

The 2005 Syrah is a full-bodied wine full of verve. It is “showy”, with bursts of aromas and flavors springing from the glass. A deep, dark maroon with magenta edges foretells of the complexity of the wine, which tempts with a bouquet of anise, forest floor and spice. The wine glides across the palate, delivering notes of truffles, framboise and plums interlaced with a limestone minerality. The finish is replete with mocha and dried raspberry and pleasantly lingers until the next sip!
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition gold medal winner.

Syrah, 2004

This is a very complex, layered and sophisticated Syrah. The dark, crimson color has depth and brilliance. Smoky aromas mingle with blackberry and black plums and a glycerin-like texture coats the palate upon first sip. There is an astounding mélange of blueberries, black currant, and a yinyang sweet/tartness of boysenberries. Elegant hibiscus tea-like tannins are present, and the wine lingers and lingers on the finish. This is an elegant, very European styled wine and will pair beautifully with a meal or with a few good friends. Enjoyable now, this wine will continue to evolve with cellaring and can be aged for 5-7 years.

Syrah, 2003

This is the debut release of the Great Oaks Ranch and Vineyard estate Syrah. Our Syrah bears the tell-tale aromas of Syrah that include black pepper, black cherry, and a smoky-oak-toastiness from the French Oak barrels. These aromas persist through into the palate, that has a finish that never ends. While this is a wine that can be enjoyed in its youth, it has the ability to age for at least a decade to come.

Windmill Hill Cuvée, 2005

The majestic and tall bottle speaks of the stateliness of the 2005 Windmill Hill Cuvée which is truly a classic. The fruit forward nuances of the 2005 vintage mingle with the timeless characteristics of this Bordeaux-styled blend. Violets from the Franc join with blackberry and brambly notes from the Cab on the nose. Holiday notes of orange peel and clove fuse with toasty notes and pomegranate on the palate, layered with hints of saddle leather and mocha and interlaced with subtle Angostino bitters. Tannins and acids are pleasantly integrated, providing a perfect complement to a great steak and a lively conversation around the table.
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition silver medal winner.

Windmill Hill Cuvée, 2004

The 2004 Windmill Hill Cuvee is a delight to all senses. The beautiful garnet color of the wine is highlighted with a vermillion edge and jewel-like glints of clarity. A swirl unleashes a bouquet of framboise, cassis and toasty notes. A first sip foretells of the structure and elegance of the wine - a silky-smooth texture channels mocha, cranberry and black plum flavors, along with a hint of violets. The finish is stylish and lasting, complete with more black fruit nuances and graceful dusty tannins.

Windmill Hill Cuvée, 2003

This wine is a wonderful expression of the unique terroir of the Great Oaks Ranch and Vineyard. The wine is at once powerful and highly drinkable, boasting a flavor profile dominated by dark fruits (blackberry, blueberry, cassis) and toasty oak, with only a hint of the typical earthiness and spiciness associated with these varieties grown within the Santa Ynez Valley. This wine clearly demonstrates that with an ideal site, modern clones, steep hillsides, perfect management, and much love, that great Bordeaux Blends can come from the Great Oaks Ranch and Vineyard within the Santa Ynez Valley.