BECKMEN VINEYARDS
2670 Ontiveros Rd.
Los Olivos CA 93441
(805) 688-8664
beckmenvineyards.com
Tom and Judy Beckmen and their son Steve, the winemaker, purchased their 40-acre estate in Santa Ynez in 1994 when the Santa Barbara County winemaking community was still in its youth. They have been growing the grapes and managing the vineyards there since the first arrived.
VINEYARDS
The expansive Purisima Mountain Vineyard covers more than 350 acres on the cooler west side of the valley. The soils are mostly clay and loam, with a smattering of limestone (which is unusual for the area). Thanks to its higher elevation, the Beckmens are able to obtain wonderful freshness and acidity from the mostly Rhône grape varieties they grow there. They also source fruit from their 25-acre vineyard at the winery in Los Olivos east of Ballard Canyon (Santa Barbara County’s historic viticultural center). The entire estate has been certified biodynamic since 2009.
WINES
The Santa Ynez Valley Grenache 2015 really stood out among the wines tasted for the debut edition of the guide with its ripe red fruit and its earth and underbrush notes. The Purisima Vineyard Syrah 2014 was another memorable wine among those tasted for this year’s guide, with wonderful freshness, varietal character — think classic bacon fat and rich dark fruit — and a zinging acidity that really made it dance on the palate as it called out for food.
TASTING ROOM Yes.
MAILING LIST Currently open.
SALES Website and national distribution.
WINERY TOURS Yes.
PRIVATE EVENTS n/a.
SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram @BeckmenVineyards, Twitter @BeckmenVineyard, Facebook.com/ BeckmenVineyards
Images via Facebook.com/ BeckmenVineyards