Current Release
Spring 2022

In our Estate 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. The spring months are also a challenging time of year due to the danger of frost on the tender, young green shoots. We get some cold nights in the Santa Ynez Valley, and if the temperature dips below 36°F (when ice can form) an alarm will alert Steve Beckmen’s cell phone, notifying him to turn on the sprinklers at the Thomas and Judith Beckmen Estate Vineyard. By spraying water over the vineyard, it allows the air around the vine to stay warmer than it naturally would be. On Purisima Mountain Vineyard, we have overhead sprinklers for frost protection on only roughly 10% of the grapevines.



Inside our Winery
During the spring months we begin our assemblage – blending our different lots prior to bottling – for our 2021 red wines, which is a really fun time as a winemaker! It allows us a sneak preview of the next vintage.
The barrel room remains a reflection of the vineyard. During harvest, we pick and ferment our grapes in small lots, enabling us to capture the individuality of each particular block in both of the vineyards. Each lot is kept in separate barrel programs, so when it comes time to blending, we can take samples from all of the different barrels to create the final blend.
This attention to detail creates wines with more depth and distinct layers of flavor; a certain lot could include anywhere from 1 – 2 barrels to 15 – 20 barrels, which is reflected in the different bottlings of our portfolio.

Applying BD Preparations
One of the key components to biodynamic farming is applying eight different preparations to our farm. These“preps” are made from herbs, mineral substances, and animal manures, applied to the vineyard and/or the soil in minute doses, similar to homeopathy for humans.
Spring is when we incorporate our compost into the vineyard. The compost is made from the manure of our farm animals (cows, pigs and chickens) along with the BD compost preps 502 – 507. This is applied through our drip system to enhance fertility and encourage the growth of microbial life in the soil.
Once there is some vine growth later in the spring, herbal teas are applied to help with any micronutrient needs, sap flow, and overall health of the vine. These herbs include nettles, chamomile, and dandelion that we harvest from around the farm.
We are proud to be the fifth largest certified biodynamic vineyard in California. Visit www.demeter-usa.org to learn more about this holistic, proactive approach to farming.

Visit Our Working Winery Estate
Fall is an incredible time of year to visit our estate in Los Olivos; the vineyard is turning a golden yellow, and as the leaves start to fall, our grapevines are exposed. We’ve had a little bit of rain so we’re starting to see some green grass in the fields, too!
You can book your reservation here or call us at 805−688−8664 ext. 200. We are open for wine tastings and gazebo reservations daily, and look forward to seeing you soon!
Wines in This Release
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