2021 is almost over… This year saw the passing of a great icon in the world of wine. Jim Clendenen was one of my mentors and a dear friend. I learned how to make wine at his famous Au Bon Climat winery and much of my winemaking philosophy is rooted in those daily conversations around the lunch table there with him, Bob Lindquist, and the rest of the team. If you have never had a wine made by Jim, I encourage you to go out and get a bottle of aged Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir or Chardonnay and delight in their elegance and ridiculous longevity. RIP Jim, you will be greatly missed. Your guidance lives on through your amazing children, wines, and those that you helped along the way.
Harvest is upon us and soon the year will be over… Here are some of the things I will indelibly mark 2021 in my mind! 2021 was the beginning of many great gatherings, from Tunes at Timbre to Game Night! Who knew that Denise was secretly a game show host… well really, all of us that know her did but that is beside the point. In 2021 Bethany got married to our handsome, hero firefighter Steven… Best thing to come out of the wedding was a fantastic picture of Mike and I (seen here). I thought the photographer really captured my good side. After a crazy year at home, the kids are finally back at school, which has been a dream come true… thank you teachers because I for one am stoked to have the kids out of the house. Also, 2021 saw the purchase of a new property for wine production in San Luis Obispo. I don’t want to say too much about it yet, but rest assured, we will give you more info as it becomes real!
The new wines we are releasing for fall include the last wines from Bien Nacido which include a 2019 Chardonnay and an old vine Pinot Noir (along with its 2016 counterpart), a 2017 Cab from Santa Ynez, and two new blends that go by Grand Symphonic Melody, and The Classics (both of which you will love)!
As always, we hope these wines bring a little something special to your evening, or weekend! See you soon at our tasting room in Arroyo Grande, and as always, please help us spread the word @TimbreWinery on Facebook and Instagram. We love you and appreciate you to the moon and back. Without you, there is no Timbre Winery. Thank you for being such an important part of our lives… Cheers!
– Chiasa & Josh –
Ally, Amy, Annette, Bethany, Denise, Gary, Joey, Jorge, Kara, Keira & Val
This past year you have continued to inspire all of us at Timbre. Your ongoing support of one another and for our Winery as we finally make our way out of this pandemic has us both hopeful and excited about what is to come! If you have not yet visited us at the tasting room, or it’s been a while, please stop by and say hello! As always, your health continues to be our top priority. We are happy to report that our tasting room has been recognized as a Covid-19 Super Star from the city of Arroyo Grande, the AG Chamber of Commerce, SLO County, and even the State Senate of California. We received this recognition for our super safe business practices and our performance over the course of the pandemic. Our back patio, which has grown to accommodate all of you safely outdoors during the past year, is now, officially, off the frickin’ chain. Over the last year we have continued to improve the space and now have multiple seating options. Picnic tables of various sizes and configurations, a lounge area, and our amazing team are waiting to delight you as you listen to tunes & sip on some vino.
And speaking of vino (it’s why you are still reading after all) this release features mostly reds, but don’t fret! As the weather warms, we have plenty of tasty, crisp, and refreshingly chilled options ready to go. You can add them to your shipment or come grab cold in bottle, growler, and even cans for all your summer activities! Available now (among other things) are 2 awesome 2020 Rosés, our crisp 2020 Albariño, and our newest canned beverage, the 2020 Piquette. Clocking in at just above 5% alcohol it is made from rehydrating pressed Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. It is a little hazy, and delightfully bubbly… great for a warm summer day by the pool, beach, or lake.
The Summer 2021 Wine Club Release is made up of a 3 Pinot Noirs, a Grenache-Syrah blend, and a fantabulous Cabernet Franc. The first Pinot is none other than the 2019 House Band. It is named The House Band because it’s from vineyards located super close to the tasting room. The 2019 Headliner is coming from a new vineyard, Pali but continues to be the bomb. It’s great to taste beside the 2016 Headliner which is coming out of the library to say “hey, at 5 years old I am still a baby… Drink me!” The 2018 Rare Groove #2 Grenache & Syrah from Edna Valley is de-licious. And finally, there is the 2018 Rare Groove #6 Cabernet Franc from the desert like western highlands of Santa Barbara County, which is all at once spicy, dense, and fruity!
We hope these wines bring a little something special to your evening, or weekend! See you soon at our tasting room in Arroyo Grande, and as always, please help us spread the word @TimbreWinery on Facebook and Instagram. We love you and appreciate you to the moon and back. Without you, there is no Timbre Winery. Thank you for being such an important part of our lives… Cheers!
– Chiasa & Josh –
& Ally, Amy, Annette, Bethany, Denise, Jorge, Kara, Keira & Val
A new year is upon us in the world of the vine. The vineyards, which have been dormant since early winter, are just now starting to wake up. In the coming weeks bud break will begin. The vines, which currently look like perfectly still soldiers awaiting their orders, will see colorful little buds forming. Those buds will soon become shoots, leaves, and tiny little clusters. It is my favorite time in the vineyard as the somber stillness of winter gives way to the new life of spring. It is especially poignant this year considering how the world has changed. For a winemaker, a new year is another opportunity to make something special, unique, and something to be celebrated. I certainly hope we will have much to celebrate in the coming months!
And now for the wines… This Spring, we have the return of an old favorite, the re-release of a fantastic Guest Star, and three brand spanking new wines (though one has a familiar name.) The old favorite is the first new release of Riesling in quite a while. The 2017 Stereophonic from Riverbench is so delicious right now and ready to be introduced to the world. The 2016 Guest Star is now 5 years old: just the right amount of time for a re-release and at a beautiful stage in its development. The new wine with the old name is The Rhythm 2018, a moniker we have used in the past (but not since 2014). It is now from the biodynamically farmed Chene Vineyard, which is on Corbett Canyon, awfully close to AG for all you crazy locals. The 2018 Understudy Pinot Noir, from Spanish Springs vineyard (on Price Canyon between Pismo and the 227) is a great wine… read the tasting notes on page 2 as to why we are calling it The Understudy. Finally, I am proud to announce the first wine from Timbre that is made exclusively from Grenache called The Jam! Morro View Vineyard in the Edna Valley is a newer sight with so much potential. As such, we just had to bottle a limited amount by itself (though along with Donati Syrah makes up our Rare Groove #2 Red Blend).
While we can’t wait to get back to big release parties, we feel fortunate to be able to host you in whatever way we can! We cannot wait to see you soon at our tasting room in Arroyo Grande and we hope these wines bring a little something special to your evening! As always, please help us spread the word @TimbreWinery on Facebook and Instagram. We love you and appreciate you to the moon and back. Without you, there is no Timbre Winery. Thank you for being such an important part of our lives… Cheers!
– Chiasa & Josh –
and in alphabetical order
Ally, Annette, Bethany, Denise, Jorge (in the winery), Kara & Val
2017 stereophonic Riesling
[Riverbench Vineyard]
suggested retail price $24.00
Pale with hints of lychee, white flowers, and green apple on the nose. The palate is super fruity, with honeydew melon, peach, more green apple, and an intense minerality – kind of like licking a wet rock.
Lovely Day by Bill Withers would be a nice mini-vacation from your day while you sip. Drink now – 2050.
2018 The Rhythm pinot noir
[Chene Vineyard]
suggested retail price $50.00
A beautiful garnet, this wine has so much going on! It’s floral with hints of oak, cherry cola, and red licorice. The palate is spiked with cranberry sauce, vanilla bean, allspice, and dark chocolate tart.
It needs something with weight… Light My Fire by The Doors? Drink now-2028+
2018 The Understudy Pinot Noir
[Spanish Springs Vineyard]
suggested retail price $50.00
We have been looking for a vineyard to replace Bien Nacido for quite some time. Virus in the Old Vines block we love that was planted in 1973 has taken its toll, and the 2019 Lead Vocals Pinot Noir from Bien Nacido will be the last that we bottle. We have now worked with Spanish Springs for three years (2018, 2019, & 2020). We feel that it is ready to take up the mantle, but what to do until 2020 when it gets its debut as Lead Vocals? It is the Understudy, of course, waiting in the wings until it has a chance to take center stage!
Ruby red, this wine has loads of perfume, notes of chai spice, and intense, fruity aromas. Strawberry, raspberry jam, and even hints of hibiscus add to this wine’s oodles of focused energy.
How about some Electric Feel by MGMT Drink now – 2028.
2016 guest star Pinot Noir
[Turner Vineyard]
suggested retail price $55.00
Deep burgundy with an earthy nose of dried underbrush and mushroom. The palate is chewy with potpourri, tobacco leaf, pomegranate, and dried cranberry. What a difference a few years makes?
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes by Bowie is this wine’s anthem! Drink now-2027+.
2018 The Jam Grenache
[Morro View Vineyard]
suggested retail price $45.00
Very dark red this wine smells like Hawaiian punch and grape soda. While the wine itself is dry, the fruitiness makes the wine reminiscent of sweet plums, sour patch kids, and candied pears leading to a long creamy finish.
What would we listen to other than JAM-min’ by Bob Marley! Drink now-2025+…
2018 Lead Vocals chardonnay
[Bien Nacido Vineyard]
suggested retail price $40.00
Pale golden with a nose that smells like freshly popped buttered popcorn. Quite young and closed right now, give it 15 minutes of air in a decanter to really elevate this wine… If you do, the wine will reward you with notes of citrus, toasted marshmallow, starfruit, and an oily viscosity. Finishes with cream-cheese cheesecake with a graham cracker crust.
Listen to Pocket Full of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield. Drink now – 2030.
2018 Supergroup pinot noir
[Bien Nacido, Peake Ranch, Spanish Springs Vineyards]
suggested retail price $30.00
Plum red this wine is rich, oozing brown sugar and crushed flowers, and sweet red cherries. Vanilla cake and caramel frame forest floor, and crushed rock, leading to a long, complex finish.
Here is your musical escape… Journey, Any Way You Want It. Drink now-2026+
2018 Lead Vocals Pinot Noir
[Bien Nacido Vineyard]
suggested retail price $55.00
Rose petal red and with primary fruit like black cherry and blood orange, this wine is perfumed and aromatic. Potpourri on the nose gives way to a soft entry that caresses your palate. A kiss of oak frames raspberries, expansive aromatics, and a long silky finish.
Listen to Picture from Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock. Drink now – 2028.
*2015 Lead Vocals Pinot Noir
[Bien Nacido Vineyard]
suggested retail price $55.00
Garnet with an earthy nose, hints of barnyard, dried violet, candied orange peel, and dried tobacco leaf. Tangy with soft tannins, cranberry and a mouth coating finish.
Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac will do nicely. Yeah! Drink now – 2027+.
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
[Napa Valley]
suggested retail price $95.00
Dark red, there is nothing quite like the nose of aged Cabernet! Black licorice, cedar, and plum jump from the glass. The palate is extremely focused, with notes of soy, beef jerky, and Chinese five spice. Pipe tobacco and cocoa frame the extremely long finish.
How about something old and brooding… Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by J.S. Bach. Drink now-2025+…
What a year… As we head into the fall season, I have to say that while 2020 has been quite a challenge, the love and support we have experienced from all of you and our community has been amazing. Even still, our hearts continue to break for those wineries and restaurants that have had the double whammy of covid-19 closure, and also have had to deal with the direct effects of this horrific fire-season on the west coast. This makes the support we have received from you all that much more special. We have come together as a Timbre community, and that has been the glue that held together our small winery!
At I write this, we have most of our fruit in for 2020. We have had to be quite choosy about what to make because this year, which started out with perfect weather due to a healthy spring full of rain, has devolved, in the most 2020 way possible. Numerous heat spikes, fire, and smoke, and some pretty stressed out vines, vineyard workers, and farmers have led to a challenging harvest season! But we persevered(!) and some of the new wines you will see over the coming months and years include Chardonnay from vineyards like Zotovitch, Riverbench, and Brick Barn. Pinot Noirs from Spanish Springs, Pali, and the return of Riverbench! Finally, some great other reds, like Grenache from Morro View, Cabernet Franc from Vogelzang, and Cabernet Sauvignon from Tommy Town (among others)! While 2020 has been a shit show, I am really excited about the wines we are making and cannot wait to share them with you!
For this fall’s release, a few classics, and one new wine (which is, in actuality, a very old wine) for Timbre. We start with our 15th(!) Chardonnay vintage from Bien Nacido. The 2018 is so delicious and follows in a long tradition of amazing Lead Vocals Chards! 2018 Supergroup is a winner, as you shall soon see. The 2018 Lead Vocals from the old-vines planted in 1973 is really tasty. The 2015 on re-release to our Super-Fans and Backstage Pass homies is ridiculous right now. You may recall that 2015 is one of my favorite vintages ever! Finally, that new/old wine I mentioned… Waaay back in 2010 we made a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. It was bottled in 2013, and then it was put into our warehouse. Over the years we just never found the right time to release this wine! Last spring, we pulled a bottle for the first time in over a year and we opened and decanted the wine, and we were blown away. The tannins had melted and the wine was singing… released on its 10th birthday!
We all hope you enjoy the release, and can’t wait to see you soon at the tasting room in Arroyo Grande! As always, please help us spread the word at @TimbreWinery on Facebook and Instagram. We love you and appreciate you to the moon and back. Without you, there is no Timbre Winery. Thank you for being such an important part of our lives… Cheers!
– Chiasa & Josh –
Ally, Bethany, Denise, Jorge (in the winery), Kara & Val
2018 Opening Act Chardonnay [Bien Nacido & Biddle Ranch Vineyards] suggested retail price $24.00 Pale straw with rays of sunshine and summer weather… the wine is floral and rich with green apple, popcorn, and a long, clean finish. Listen to Wildflowers by Tom Petty and Drink now – 2025+.
2018 The House Band Pinot Noir [Duni & Toste Vineyards] suggested retail price $45.00 Rose petal red with hints of earth and cherry kirsch. Boysenberry jam and fresh, with citrus driven fruity flavors and grippy tannin. I think y’all need to ask Bethany to sing I feel like a woman. Drink now – 2026+.
2018 The Headliner Pinot Noir [Presqu’ile Vineyard] suggested retail price $50.00 Dark red, concentrated fruit punch, acidity, richness, a velvety texture, clean, meaty, piney, herbal tea, floral, golden raisins, cherry perfume, raspberry, baked pie crust, and caramel. Those are unedited tasting notes and were too perfect to change! With this wine how about some Lizzo! Truth Hurts… Drink now – 2028+.
2018 The Hook Syrah [Donati Vineyard] suggested retail price $45.00 Ruby red with magenta toward the rim the wine is deep and just smells decadent. It is smoky, guilty pleasure, sexy, and spicy and tastes like warm spice and sugar plums on the finish. Sexy back by Justin Timberlake. Yeah! Drink now – 2030+.
*2015 The Headliner Pinot Noir [Presqu’ile Vineyard] suggested retail price $55.00 [Notes from the Fall 2017 release letter] Dark red, floral, and intensely fruity, there is also a savory quality that comes through from the high percentage of whole cluster fermentation. Cranberry, strawberry, tobacco, and pink peppercorn lead to a long warm finish. Don’t You Want Me Baby by Human League fits the bill. Drink 2018-2025!
*Fan Red, Super Fan, & Backstage Pass
Watch the timbre team and taste along with the releases…
I hope this note finds you happy, safe, and healthy! What a difference a few months make… as I sit and think about what to put on paper, I feel overwhelmed by recent events. It was only a short time ago that our Spring release party was full in a matter of hours. I planned to write about my inspirational trip to Burgundy. I looked forward to our summer party where we could all laugh, share a glass of wine, and just be together. A global pandemic made parties impractical, if not impossible, and the unrest in our country has made it difficult to ignore what is going on. Fortunately, Chiasa and I do not have cable, or the constant news would be driving us all even more crazy.
I find solace in the fact that ultimately, wine is a snapshot of a time and place. Even if we are not together, we can enjoy the same wine, and share in the sensory experience that wine creates. We can discuss and relish in the nuanced flavors, aromas, and texture, and enjoy the way wine can take us outside of our every day if only for a moment. A small vacation in these turbulent times. And for those of you that choose to, we can enjoy those moments with our friends and family… After all, wine is about good friends, shared meals, and good times. And my trip to Burgundy was epic, ask me about it when we see each other next.
I am really happy with the release this time around as am I thankful for the way our community has come together to support each other, our students, and our local small businesses (including Timbre.) 2018 was a fantastic vintage and the wines are some of the best we have ever made across the board. A cool, rainy winter led to a warm summer and then an even cool harvest. The harvest weather led to being able to pick at peak ripeness with healthy chemistry and better than average yields!
2018 saw our first Chardonnay fruit from Edna Valley. The opening Act Chardonnay is a blend of Biddle Ranch and Bien Nacido Vineyards. Also, in this release is the 2018 Headliner Pinot Noir and 2018 The Hook Syrah. The new kid on the block is 2018 The House Band. Made with fruit from 2 great vineyards in Arroyo Grande! Toste on the Mesa, and Duni up the hill behind the tasting room. You are going to love this wine. Round it out with a Library release of 2015 Headliner for Red only fans, Super Fans, and Backstage Pass Members and this is going to be a tasty set!
During this time, with limited face to face interaction, please help us spread the word at @TimbreWinery on Facebook and Instagram. We love you and appreciate you to the moon and back. Without you, there is no Timbre Winery. Thank you for being such an important part of our lives…
Cheers!
Chiasa, Josh, Bethany, Denise, Jorge (in the winery), & Kara
