The Blog
Syrah, Our Signature Grape
At Beckmen Vineyards, Syrah is our most planted varietal, and that should be no surprise. Our 125 acre certified biodynamic Purisima Mountain Vineyard has consistently produced a distinctive crop of Syrah since it was planted in the late 1990’s. The various elevations, microclimates, and clonal selections found there provide us with unique opportunities to produce four special bottlings that accentuate the different flavors of our signature grape.
Jun 29, 2023
Jun 6, 2023
Differentiating our Grenache Wines
We’ve always been big fans of the Grenache grown in the Santa Ynez Valley, and are proud that we were the first winery bottling a single varietal Grenache in Santa Barbara County in 1995. Our current Grenache portfolio consists of four different bottlings. Here’s an overview to help you appreciate how we look to highlight the different flavors that Grenache produces in our two vineyards.
May 11, 2023
Summer Shipping: Refrigerated or Next Day Air
It may be too hot for you to get unrefrigerated wine shipments for several months of the year. Even in temperate Los Olivos, our winery sees hot days for much of the summer. The solution is to offer those who want to stay stocked through the summer the option of discounted refrigerated ground shipping. In states that don’t offer temperature-controlled ground shipping, we have special UPS Next Day Air rates for the summer.
Apr 30, 2023
Watch Now | Spring in our Vineyards
Watch winemaker Steve Beckmen lead you through our biodynamic vineyards during the spring months. From dealing with the record rain we received this winter, budbreak and the threat of frost, plus managing the abundant weeds and cover crops, it’s a busy time of year at Beckmen Vineyards!
Dec 22, 2022
2022 Harvest in Review
2022 was an exceptional vintage, but not entirely for the reasons we would have hoped. In spite of its notably small yields, 2022 left us with some outstanding fruit that will make for memorable releases in the years to come — that is, if there is enough wine to save in the cellar.
Sep 22, 2022
2022 Fall Wine Release
Discover more about the five new wines released to our members in November 2022: 2021 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Viognier, 2020 Santa Ynez Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 PMV Block Six Syrah, 2020 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2019 EXP Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sep 22, 2022
2022 Summer Wine Release
Discover more about the five new wines released to our members in September 2022: 2021 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Grenache Blanc, 2021 Santa Ynez Valley Grenache, 2020 Barrel Select Cuvee, 2020 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Syrah Clone #1, and 2021 EXP Syrah Rosé.
Aug 19, 2022
2022 Futures Program
For nearly twenty years, we have opened our cellar doors every fall for a rare opportunity to taste a limited selection of our small production red wines still aging in oak barrels during our annual Futures program. This year, we will host two Futures tasting events at our Los Olivos winery and have tasting flights available to be shipped directly to you.
Jul 22, 2022
Beckmen on Biodynamics Part II: The Five Core Concepts of Biodynamics
Steve Beckmen has broken down the complex subject biodynamic agriculture into five essential tenets. Each of these aspects is fundamental to biodynamic farming. A closed system of fertility, biodiverse land, BD preps, the biodynamic calendar, and holistic thinking are all key ingredients in the biodynamic method. Each of these is a technique to foster an environment that stays connected with nature for the good of your crop.
Jun 29, 2022
Beckmen on Biodynamics: Part 1
Learn how Steve Beckmen became a believer in biodynamic farming, how Beckmen Vineyards would go on to pioneer biodynamic wine production in California, and the ways we continue to pursue the core biodynamic principle of a “closed ecological system.”
Jun 15, 2022
Come Taste What We’ve Been Growing
It’s been years of changing restrictions, but our tasting room is fully open, and it’s better than ever. We’d love for folks that haven’t visited in a while to see all of the great things going on inside and out. We have some new, and quite talented, staff, a remodeled interior, and more options for enjoying Beckmen Vineyards wine alongside our pond. Read all about it.
May 5, 2022
The Roots of our Newest Syrah
Knowing that Syrah excels on Purisima Mountain, we’ve been testing the vineyard’s hospitality by planting more from cuttings, rather than buying vines that are grafted onto rootstock. Like our efforts with single clone and single block releases, these own-rooted vines present another possibility for a variation on the vineyard’s distinct Syrah. However, growing Syrah Own doesn’t come without risks.
May 2, 2022
2022 Spring Wine Release
Discover more about the five new wines released to our members in May 2022: 2021 Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 2020 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Syrah, 2020 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Own Syrah, 2020 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Grenache, and 2020 Purisima Mountain Vineyard EXP Grenache.
Apr 15, 2022
Spring Energizes Our Vineyards
Springtime is a period of growth and renewal in our vineyards, as our vines wake up from their winter dormancy and their buds come out to say hello. Discover what keeps us busy this time of year, both inside our winery and across our 150 acres of grapevines.
Mar 25, 2022
Beckmen 2.0: The Evolution of 1NGREDIENT Continues
1NGREDIENT is Steve Beckmen showcasing his biodynamic fruit through the lens of traditional winemaking. Wines are made naturally, without oak, additives, preservatives or other distortions. As a winemaker, this required starting over and considering the process with a fresh perspective. It reminded Steve of his first days making wine.