When Stolpman Vineyards decided to open a Tasting Room in Los Olivos, Tom Stolpman and Interior designer Shannon Scott were tasked with creating a space that would reflect the quality and style of the wines. Tom found a vacant 110-year-old house just east of the flagpole in downtown Los Olivos.
Before opening, walls were removed to open the interior, creating a spacious bar area to comfortably taste. Soft lighting, exposed ceilings and refurbished wood floors create a luxurious atmosphere without losing the antique "Los Olivos" essence of the house. A private back room allows the more serious connoisseur to sit down at a glass table and meditate over the different Syrahs from Stolpman's estate vineyard. The white picket fence and renovated red clapboard house balance the area's frontier ranching tradition with modern luxury.
All of the wines produced by Stolpman are estate grown on their organic vineyard. The actual vineyard lies southwest of Los Olivos, on Ballard Canyon Road. Originally planted in the early 1990s, the Stolpmans have continued to redefine quality in the area through constant viticultural experimentation. Currently, customers can taste through the history of Stolpman wines through a library vertical offering of Sangioveses ranging from 1999 to 2002. Each wine represents the variation in weather from the respective year: the sweltering 1999 vintage producing a lush, fruit forward palate while the cooler 2001 is a bit more herbaceous and elegant. The older wines can then be compared with Stolpman's current releases, from vineyard blocks more honed and perfected.
In mid October, Stolpman will unveil their 2007 Estate Syrah, 2007 Grenache, 2006 Sangiovese, and 2007 La Croce. La Croce is one of Stolpman's exclusive, limited production proprietary blends, and is composed of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Syrah, fermented in 100% new French Oak. The gorgeous aromatics and mouth-feel of these new wines prove that the Stolpmans' dedication to furthering quality in the Santa Ynez Valley has paid off.
The winery's focus on boutique, vineyard crafted, balanced wines is emphasized throughout the Stolpman tasting experience. Upon entering the front yard, guests can inspect 20 sample vines labeled Syrah, Grenache and Sangiovese that were expertly transplanted from the vineyard. Stolpman's knowledgeable staff; Carol, Kari, Reed, David, and Andreas; utilize vineyard maps, pictures of soil-layers and maps of the surrounding vineyards to speak about the unique terroir of Stolpman Vineyards. The staff is both capable of teaching the most novice taster in a casual setting and offering advanced technical facts to fellow winemakers. This harvest, the regular staff rotates shifts from the winery to the tasting room in order to fully understand winemaker Sashi Moorman's philosophy.
The tasting room is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m at 2434 Alamo Pintado Ave, ½ block east of the flagpole in historic downtown Los Olivos. Please call ahead for sit-down appointments or private vineyard tours, (805) 688-0400.
