Trailblazing Santa Barbara County Winery Zaca Mesa Celebrates 45 Years of Winemaking
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif., March 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards, the family owned winery with a long-standing history in Santa Barbara County, is thrilled to celebrate 45 years of quality winemaking on the Central Coast.
Established in 1973, Zaca Mesa was first purchased by John Cushman and five friends; today, the winery is still owned by the Cushman family. From the beginning, Zaca Mesa's mission has been to craft high quality Rhône-style wines that are true reflections of the vineyard and appellation. As the first vineyard to plant Syrah in the area in 1978, known as Black Bear Block, Zaca Mesa has helped pioneer the Santa Barbara Rhône movement through an unwavering dedication to these varietals. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Zaca Mesa planted such Rhône varieties as Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Grenache Blanc, and has since been a trusted source for quality Rhône fruit amongst regional and national wine brands.
Positioned 25 miles from the Pacific Ocean up against the majestic San Rafael Mountains, Zaca Mesa's vineyards sit between a cool and warm climate, perfectly suited for growing dynamic, yet balanced Rhône grapes. A diverse range of complex soils, from sand and silt to Monterey shale gravels and clay, further adds to the unique terroir of the vineyard.
Throughout its history, Zaca Mesa has been a training ground for many great winemakers while helping to establish a benchmark for Central Coast Rhône-style wines. Zaca Mesa has remained steadfast in its dedication to meticulous viticulture and innovative farming methods, along with Old World winemaking practices, to produce hand-crafted California wine that stays true to its site. The resulting wines have earned many accolades over the years, including being the first Central Coast Winery to make Wine Spectator's Top 100 list in 1993. In 1996, the same wine was served at the Clinton White House during an official state dinner honoring French President Jacques Chirac, while Zaca Mesa was also served at Ronald Reagan's 80th birthday celebration in 1991.
Zaca Mesa's tasting room is located on Foxen Canyon Road, surrounded by 150 acres of estate vineyards. Here, tasters can choose from a variety of tasting flights, relax at picnic tables, and enjoy a leisurely game of chess on the life-sized chessboard under the oak trees. Zaca Mesa also offers an outdoor event space, perfect for weddings, amidst its Grenache Blanc vineyards, which are framed by the Zaca Mesa barn and stunning mountain views.
In honor of its rich history and 45 years of winemaking, Zaca Mesa will be holding a 45th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, March 24th at the winery. This celebratory open house will include exclusive tastings of pre-release and library wines, live music by Sean Wiggins and food available for purchase from "BBQ in the Stix." The afternoon event is free for wine club members and $15 for the general public.
"Zaca Mesa has been a notable presence in the Santa Ynez Valley, known for its dedication to Rhône grapes and for quality viticulture, and few places have the honor of having a presence for 45 years," shares John Cushman. "On this landmark anniversary, we're thrilled to celebrate this special place, paying tribute to all the visitors and wine club members who have remained loyal to us over the years, and thankful to all who have worked so hard to nurture our vines and craft our wines."
SOURCE Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards
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