Topanga Vineyards > California > USA

See recent press for Topanga Vineyards Topanga Vineyards is the creation of husband and wife team of Sandy Garber and Ralph Meyer. Sandy was the sales and marketing director for The Chalone Wine Group in California from 1982–1998. In additional to her day-to-day responsibility for Topanga Vineyards, she owns and manages Garber & Company, a wine distributorship in Los Angeles. Ralph works in the film industry as a location manager. Both worked as sommeliers in the '80s, Sandy at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel and Ralph at Michael's Restaurant in Santa Monica, before embarking on their current venture. Topanga Vineyards world headquarters is located in Topanga Canyon, nestled in the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles. Current production consists of limited quantities of Syrah from the central coast (Paso Robles and Edna Valley) and Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. The first commercial realease was 200 cases of 1997 Syrah and 200 cases of 1996 Cabernet.

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Celadon Grenache Blanc

100% Grenache blanc Topanga Vineyards is one of the few wineries producing Grenache Blanc in California today and even they don't make too much of it, only 225 cases. The fruit is biodynamically farmed from the Beeswax vineyard (Arroyo Seco, Monterey). The wine was made under the guidance of Larry Brooks, better known for his days at Chalone. The grapes were whole-cluster pressed into small stainless tank for the alcoholic fermentation and then aged for six months in neutral barrel, with lees stirring. As of the 2007 vintage, the wine did not go through malolactic fermentation, giving it even more lift on the palate. Tasting notes and food pairings Reminiscent of a great white Rhone style, the wine is very rich and full on the palate, with aromas of fresh white peach. A minerally aromatic prevails due to the warm vintage but the wine is bright and fresh, due to the lack of malolactic fermentation. A racey style with the new appellation which is cooler climate and biodynamically farmed. Oysters and shellfish cry out to accompany this wine year round.

Black and White Cabernet 05- Napa Valley

95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot 1200 cases of this wine were produced at the Louis Martini Winery from their vines to the express specification of Topanga Vineyards. The wines see a 3 week vinification and are then put in 50% French and 50% American oak barrels (30% new). 5% Merlot is blended with the Cabernet to produce a richly fruited, forward yet elegant wine that is not overly impacted by oak. Hints of eucalyptus in the bouquet lead up to a palate of black-fruit flavors with underlying notes of cocoa. A delicious, approachable wine.

Syrah - Edna Valley

This wine represents the pride of Topanga Vineyards. The winemaker, Stephen Dooley, has made wines at the Edna Valley Vineyard and now has his own brand, Stephen Ross. Larry Brooks, formerly of Acacia Winery and Chalone, is a consultant on the project. Most of the fruit comes from a gravelly, hillside vineyard in the Edna Valley. Cool weather provides late, even ripening and extended hang-time. The goal is to produce a Syrah in a distinctly California style in both flavor and texture. This means obtaining ripe fruit with deep, developed flavors and creating a wine with oak as a background compliment. The Syrah is blended with 5% Viognier to give this big wine lift. The incredible nose is swimming in violets and white pepper spice moving onto a palate that is richly fruited and roasted-meaty with soft, ripe tannins. This a big wine that offers deep, dark, ripe-berry fruit, and layers of flavors that make this comparable with the best Syrahs from anywhere in the world. Only 590 cases produced. Aging: 22% New Oak; 3 Radoux, Sirugue & Taransaud Barrels; 75% one and two year old for 18 months.

Khroma Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

Made by Eric Lauman. 85% Cabernet, 10% Syrah, 5% Malbec from several premium Alexander Valley vineyards. Aged for 6 months in French Oak This is a rich, fruit forward wine with moderate tannins and a fragrance reminiscent of blueberry preserves. Moderate oak and rich fruit make this wine attractive for early consumption, although it will age well for several years. Of course it will go well with all the usual Cabernet pairings, but will be especially delicious with a steak grilled over an oak fire with a reduced balsamic vinegar sauce. For our vegetarians friends, great with blue-cheese, honey, pears, marcona almonds and curly endive salad.

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