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Average Customer Rating
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4.7 / 5
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Average Rating based on
1
Review
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Consumer Appeal
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(5.00)
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Wholesaler Appeal
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(4.00)
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Farm Visitor Appeal
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(5.00)
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Compared to group locale averages
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Consumer Appeal
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(4.83)
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Wholesaler Appeal
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(4.64)
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Farm Visitor Appeal
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(4.50)
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Babcock Vineyards
Locale ID
CA5743
Run by
Brian Babcock
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About
Welcome!
One of California's brightest stars in the field of winemaking is Bryan Babcock. Not only was Bryan selected by the Los Angeles Times as one of the "Ten Best Winemakers of the Year", he was also named by this influential daily as "Most Courageous Winemaker of the Year" for his daring style. Since 1984 Bryan has been producing wines of exceptional quality from his family owned winery located on the far western edge of the Santa Ynez Valley in northern Santa Barbara County.
The prestigious James Beard Foundation chose Bryan as one of the "Top Ten Small Production Winemakers in the World," the only American chosen for this oenological dream team. In choosing Bryan for this award, David Moore wrote, "Bryan Babcock best exemplifies the traits I look for in a great winemaker. The quality of Bryan's wines speak for themselves, yet it is his personal commitment to excellence that stands out so much. His relentless experimentation, his willingness to explore the possibilities with so many grape varieties, and his aesthetic are a world apart from the usual American approach to winemaking."
In 1978, Walt and Mona Babcock were seeking a retreat from Walt's dental practice and the rigors of being restauranteurs (Walt's Wharf in Seal Beach). Their search led them to purchase 110 acres of land on the western edge of the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County. At that time the area was considered a fledgling wine region. This inspired and prompted the Babcock's to plant a 25-acre vineyard in 1980. By the end of 1983, various notable winemakers had purchased Babcock fruit and made compelling wines. It was quickly becoming apparent that the soil and cool climate of the Babcock estate was ideal for producing ultra-premium wine grapes.
In 1984, Walt and Mona Babcock decided it was time to seize the opportunity to produce their own wine. Just as they were setting the stage for their winemaking operation, their son, Bryan, who had graduated from Occidental College with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry, was attending the University of California - Davis, working toward his master's degree in food science, with an emphasis in enology. Fortunately, his studies primed him for the first Babcock harvest, as he was awarded a double gold medal for Babcock's 1984 Estate Sauvignon Blanc. This was the first of the many honors and awards that Babcock Winery would receive
Still family-owned and operated, Babcock Winery and Vineyards is an expanding 20,000-case winery with 80 acres currently planted to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Experimental varieties such as Albarino and Tempranillo from Spain, and Pignolo from Italy, are being evaluated.
What has Bryan excited these days is the promotion of a newly BATF approved appellation, Santa Rita Hills.
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* QR Code is registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED
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Last Update:
October
14, 2010
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; "Babcock Vineyards")
