The newest project from all-star Santa Barbara native winemaker, Justin Willett, 'Ad Ripa' means to the shore. All the grapes are from excellent sites planted to Cabernet Sauvignon throughout the coastal Santa Ynez River valley, particularly the Happy Canyon AVA, which has the warmest microclimate in Santa Barbara.

Justin grows the grapes for this wine in two small vineyards in the Happy Canyon, entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted in 2001, 2011, 2016. The large diurnal temperature shift, further moderated by the surrounding forest, allows the to ripen slowly and fully while retaining acidity and freshness. 

The Cabernet Sauvignon was hand-picked from late September to early October.  Entirely de-stemmed, the grapes were fermented by native yeasts in a large open-top oak fermenter where it macerated for two weeks with gentle pump overs. After pressing, the wine aged 22 months in 50% new French oak barrels, then was bottled unfiltered and unfined to produce a true and honest expression of Cab Sauv that is not pushed to be more full-bodied than it wants to be. 

Justin has produced an extremely fine example of true California Cab here, that harkens back to the cooler days of this region's past. Balanced and rich without unnecessary manipulation in the cellar, a full package complete with succulent tannins, a gorgeous nose of bay leaf and cinnamon, and a long finish of dry black fruits. For the price, this is a better value than many of the big name Napa reds you may be familiar with. 

"Decidedly red-fruited, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon (Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara) shows all the classic Cabernet signatures, unfurling in the glass with bittersweet chocolate, red cherry, tobacco, mocha and dried herbs. Medium-bodied and nicely structured, it remains hemmed-in and calibrated through the even-tempered finish." - Vinous Media 

Pairing: Steak frites, Grilled Portobellos with Thyme

Grape: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 2001, 2011, 2016

Soil: Clay loams with serpentine and chert soils 

Viticulture: Practicing Organic