Another Momentous Occasion for Sanford
 The Santa Rita Hills AVA got a new jewel in its crown when Sanford
Winery & Vineyards opened its Lompoc tasting room this July, and
the stunning new facility reflects the bright future ahead for this
venerable label. One of the pioneering wineries in the area, Sanford’s
history in Santa Barbara County dates back to 1971. Particularly
known for its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, the label eventually caught the
interest of the family-owned Terlato Wine Group (TWG), which focuses on
both representation and ownership within the luxury wine sector.
“We recognized the quality of Sanford,” says John Terlato, Vice Chairman
of TWG and Terlato Wines International (TWI), the sales and marketing arm
of the company. “We loved the wines and that led us to a financial investment
[and representation of the wines] in 2002.” A couple of years later, the
Terlatos upped their ante to assume majority interest in the winery, adding
it to a TWG portfolio that already included such labels as Alderbrook,
Chimney Rock, Rutherford Hill and Terlato Family Vineyards.
Winemaker and General Manager Steve Fennell, a veteran of Trefethen and
Voss, joined Sanford in 2006. A double threat thanks to his viticulture background,
he is “committed to maintaining sustainable farming. We want to be
good stewards of the land,” he says, a sentiment Terlato heartily echoed.
That philosophy also extended to the construction of the label’s new
tasting room. Nestled between the winery’s estate vineyards—La Rinconada
and Sanford & Benedict—the building closely mirrors the look of the
adjacent winery, which was completed in 2001, but both look as if they have
seen many a season in this scenic setting. Each was crafted with centuryold
reclaimed timbers, native stones, handmade adobe bricks and ceramic
tiles—nods to Old California that have been combined with modern
touches such as state-of-the-art energy efficiency.
Though Sanford offers limited releases of Sauvignon Blanc and a Vin Gris
rosé, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reign as the definitive flagships of the
label. The AVA’s reputation for Pinot is booming, but Fennell admits that he
is equally excited about the Chardonnay potential: “I think Santa Rita Hills
Chardonnays can be among the best in the world.”
That’s certainly the company that Sanford and TWG would like to keep.
As Terlato notes, “Our mantra is that ‘quality endures,’ and as a family
we’re willing to make the necessary decisions to make that happen. You
can’t just pretend to be about quality.”
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By
Katy Budge
©2007 The Tasting Panel.
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