wine profile
Vintage
2009
Varietal
Sangiovese
Appellation
Santa Barbara County
Vineyard Designation
White Hawk Vineyard
Harvest Date
October 25th, 2009
Aging
18 months in 2 year old French cooperage
Alcohol %
14.5
2009 Illuminatus Sangiovese
Only 50 cases produced
SOLD OUT
The White Hawk Vineyard is farmed using sustainable and primarily organic viticulture methods. It sits on the southern facing slope of Cat Canyon, some 21 miles from the Pacific and 2 miles north of the town of Los Alamos. Because of its proximity to the coast, the marine influence causes cool, early morning fogs to envelop the site before giving way to the warm California sunshine. The vineyard is planted at an elevation of 900 feet on sandy soils that immediately drain off water and nutrients, forcing the vines to work extra hard to survive. The fruit is wonderfully dark with notes of sweet strawberry and plum. The yields are miniscule and the berries intense.