Refugio Ranch Vineyards has proven to be one of our most popular new wineries. We first featured them last year, and they were an instant hit. Today we’re thrilled to have their scrumptious, complex, and elegant Refugio Ranch Vineyards 2016 Santa Ynez Valley Viognier. This wine is a Super QPR steal of a deal.

Shining like a jewel with no occlusions, it appears to be liquid citrine in the glass. On the nose, Viognier’s classic elderflower character comes through loud and clear. There’s some green apple there as well with juniper, mint, and lemon. The palate is complex with baked pear, quince preserves with herbaceous qualities of marjoram and thyme. It’s got a surprisingly rich mouthfeel for Viognier, almost having the roundness of a Chardonnay which extends the experience for a long finish. Pour a glass and prepare yourself a green apple salad with walnuts and blue cheese crumbles with a buttercream dressing.

For a glimpse into Refugio Ranch, its people, and their philosophy, please view this wonderful video:

The Refugio Ranch Story from Refugio Ranch on Vimeo.

The Santa Ynez Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area), which was designated in 1983, covers more than 75,000 acres in the broader Santa Barbara County. The area has since been sub-divided into four separate sub-appellations: Sta. Rita Hills, Happy Canyon, Ballard Canyon, and the Los Olivos District. The Santa Ynez AVA contains a diversity of soil and climate types which contribute, in turn, to a great diversity of grape varietal and wine styles. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the most planted grape here, but Bordeaux and Rhône varieties do particularly well here.

Here’s what the wine press has to say:

90 points - Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast - “The nose on this bottling walks a fine line between ripe peach and more reserved elements of lemon and key lime. There is a strong stony and chalky kick to the palate, where tangy lemon-rind flavors meet with yellow apples.”

90 Points - Vinous