2001 Vintage Reserve, Santa Ynez Valley

“90 points…A beauty…Lush” –Wine Enthusiast, October 2004
“Four stars…Excellent…supple, richly flavored” –Restaurant Wine #102
Gold Medal, San Francisco International Wine Competition
“Good depth, balance, structure and integration…” –Colorado Wine News, December 2004
Gold Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

 

2001 Merlot Reserve, Santa Ynez Valley

“90 POINTS…A lovely wine…rich…complex” –Wine Enthusiast, 12/15/04
95 Points for Gold Medal and Best of Class, California State Fair
“Complex, fluid and long with black cherry, violets and blackberry intensity.” –Quarterly Review of Wines, Summer 2004
“A crowd pleaser…Keeps you coming back for more.” –Wine Country Living, July 2004
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley
Gold Medal, West Coast Wine Competition
Gold Medal, Santa Barbara County Fair
90 Points and Silver Medal – California State Fair Wine Competition
“Bright flavors of raspberry, black cherry, currant, smoky oak, and vanilla...” –Colorado Wine News , December 2006

 

2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley

Gold Medal, 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

2005 Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley  

Gold Medal, San  Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

 

2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley

"Four Stars...Ripely flavored with good balance...and a long finish." –Restaurant Wine #107
Silver Medal, Orange County Fair Wine Competition

 

2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley

“An excellent value...bright black cherry flavors." –Laurie Daniel, San Jose Mercury News, January 19, 2005
“86 Points…Polished…This stylish Cab has plenty to like.” –Wine Enthusiast, November 15, 2004
Gold Medal, San Francisco International Wine Competition
Gold Medal – Sweepstake, Monterey Wine Competition
“Round and lingering chocolate and black currant fruit…” –Quarterly Review of Wines, Summer 2004
"More seriousness than is typically found for the price..." – Connoisseur's Guide, April, 2004.
Silver Medal – Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
"Well integrated, structured, and balanced..." – Colorado Wine News, April - June 2004"
Silver Medal – Pacific Rim International Wine Competition

 

2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley

Gold Medal for Best of Class, Long Beach Grand Cru
"Highly recommended" -Minneapolis Star Tribune, February 26 , 2003
"Four Stars...Excellent" - Restaurant Wine, Issue #94
Gold Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

 

2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, paso robles

“Flavors of ripe cherry and plum, a hint of anise and medium tannins.” -Laurie Daniel, McClatchy Tribune Newspapers, March 28, 2007

 

2003 Merlot, Santa Ynez Valley

Gold Medal, New World International Wine Competition
“Inviting with black cherry, blackberry, plum and oak...Laced with light tannin.” –Colorado Wine News, December 2006

 

2002 Merlot, Santa Ynez Valley

92 Points, California State Fair
“Outstanding...Five Stars...Long, rich finish. ” –Restaurant Wine, #106
“87 Points...Forward flavors of blackberry, cedar and new oak. ” –The Wine News, July 2005

 

2001 Merlot, Santa Ynez Valley

“Sweet, juicy black currant…Lively fruit.” –Quarterly Review of Wines, Summer 2004
Silver Medal, New Orleans Wine & Food Experience

 

2000 Merlot, Santa Ynez Valley

Gold Medal, Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition
Gold Medal, West Coast Wine Competition
"Highly Recommended" –California Grapevine, March, 2003
"Chronicle Wine Selection" - San Francisco Chronicle, February 6, 2003

2005 Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley

Gold Medal, 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

 

2004 Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley

“Excellent Syrah...very supple...great value.” –Restaurant Wine, #118

“Highly recommended…Rich, briary, spicy, cedary, blackberry fruit flavors with notes of vanilla.” –California Grapevine, May 2007

“Full bodied, lush, rich and spicy on the palate with ripe red and black fruit…” –Sante Magazine, June 2007

2003 Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley

97 Points and Double Gold Medal for Best of Class and Region –California State Fair Wine Competition
"Excellent value and approachability...Intense flavors of blackberry, herbs and chocolate." –Baltimore Sun, Michael Dresser, March 1, 2006

“Wine of The Week…Impressive body…A bargain at this price.” –Chris Knap, Orange County Register, February 1, 2007
Platinum Medal, 2006 Critics Challenge
Double Gold Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal for Best of Class, Long Beach Grand Cru
Double Gold Medal, San Francisco International Wine Competition
Gold Medal, Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
Gold Medal, New World International Wine Competition
"Highly recommended...Blackberry fruit flavors with notes of mocha and vanilla bean." –California Grapevine, April-May 2006
"86 Points...High-octane Syrah." –Wine Enthusiast, June 2006

 

2002 Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley

"92 POINTS...Beautifully balanced...Great Value." –Wine & Spirits, June 2005
"Five Stars...Big, rich, ripe and plush...Best Value." –Quarterly Review of Wines, Summer 2005
"Four stars...Excellent...Supple, ripely flavored." –Restaurant Wine, Issue #105
"WINE OF THE WEEK...Ripe berries, plums and a dash of dark chocolate." –About.com, 8/1/05
"WINE OF THE WEEK...Intense blackberry and plum, notes of coffee, chocolate and mint." – MSNBC, Edward Deitch, February 3, 2005
Gold Medal for Best of Class, Pacific Rim International Wine Competition
Gold Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal for 2nd Place (out of 60 Syrahs entered), Syrah Challenge at the California Mid-State Fair
Gold Medal, San Francisco International Wine Competition
"Rich, lush, dry red wine...Heavenly nose of soft mocha, black pepper and wild blackberries" – Jill Ditmire, Indianapolis Star, February 23, 2005
"Recommended..." – Laurie Daniel, San Jose Mercury News, July, 2005
Gold Medal, Orange County Fair Wine Competition
"Highly Recommended...Rich, plush, supple." – California Grapevine, May 25, 2005
"Exceptional...Soft with nice richness. Silky finish." – Dan Berger, July 21, 2005

 

2001 Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley

"92 POINTS...Delicious. Packed with luscious fruit..." – Wine & Spirits
Magazine, December 2003
"90 Points...A dark, intense Syrah." – Wine Enthusiast, February 2004
Gold Medal, Long Beach Grand Cru
“An immensely complex beauty…” –Quarterly Review of Wines, Summer 2004
"Great Syrah...Delectable flavors of mocha, blackberry and plum." Jill Ditmire, Indianapolis Star, 9/24/03
"Four Stars +...A fine Syrah" Restaurant Wine, Issue #97
Gold Medal, New World International Wine Competition

 

2000 Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley

Gold Medal for 2nd Place (out of 60 Syrahs entered), Syrah Challenge at the California Mid-State Fair
89 Points, Wine & Spirits Magazine, December 2002
"88 Points...Focused and intense" Wine Enthusiast, November 15, 2002
"90 Points...Powerfully built...with ripe blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors." – Wine Country Living, January 2004
"Delicious" -Tim Teichgraeber, Minneapolis Star Tribune
"Four stars...An impressive Syrah" -Restaurant Wine, Issue 91
Gold Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal, Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition
Gold Medal, Orange County Fair Wine Competition

 

2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley

Gold Medal and Best of Class, 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

 

2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley

Gold Medal and 94 Points for Best of Region and Best of Class, 2007 California State Fair Wine Competition

Gold Medal, 2007 Long Beach Grand Cru

Gold Medal, San Francisco International Wine Competition

Gold Medal, 2007 Orange County Fair Wine Competition

“Potent…with intense flavors of passion fruit and lime…long finish.” -San Francisco Chronicle, June 26, 2007

“87 Points…A warm, inviting nose of banana, green apple, cream, and light herb notes…Juicy acidity in the mouth.” -Wine Lines, July 2007

 

2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley

Gold Medal, West Coast Wine Competition
Gold Medal, New World International Wine Competition
Critics Award, 2006 Critics Challenge
"87 Points...Lush, rounded and juicy with aromas of ripe melon...Very appealing." – Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online
"Highly recommended...Leaves you wanting more." – Wine X Magazine, May 23, 2006

 

2004 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley

"Four stars...Full-bodied, round, long on the palate." –Restaurant Wine, Issue #108
"Highly recommended...Notes of lemongrass and honeysuckle." – California Grapevine, September, 2005
"Plenty of fruity flavor...Good backbone of acidity." –Wine Enthusiast, November 2005
Gold Medal, Orange County Fair Wine Competition
Gold Medal, Santa Barbara County Fair Wine Competition
“Another outstanding, zippy white wine from Firestone.” –Indianapolis Star, 7/20/05

 

2003 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley

“Very good...Mouth-watering and vibrant.” –Wall Street Journal, August 5, 2005
“First in our tasting…Bright acids, tropical fruit” –The Tennessean, September 20, 2004
“87 Points…Plenty of fresh gooseberry, lemon, grapefruit” -Wine Enthusiast, September 2004
“87 Points…Perfumed scents of kiwi and citrus.” -The Wine News, June/July 2004
“Zippy flavors…Nicely balanced. Tasty.” –Colorado Wine News, September, 2004
94 Points for Gold Medal, California State Fair
“Dry, crisp…tangy flavors of grapefruit and melon” –Jill Ditmire, Indianapolis Star, 6/2/04

 

2002 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley

"An excellent Sauvignon...Four stars +" – Restaurant Wine, Issue #99
"Good value...87 points (starred review)" –Connoisseur's Guide, February 2004
"Highly Recommended" -Wine X Magazine: Wine X Blast
Silver Medal, Orange County Fair Wine Competition
Silver Medal, San Francisco International Wine Competition
Silver Medal, Long Beach Grand Cru

 

2001 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley

“Round and lingering chocolate and black currant fruit…” –Quarterly Review of Wines, Summer 2004
"Captures the best qualities of the grape..." New York Times on the Web, Wines of the Week, September 25, 2002
"Highly recommended...89 points" California Grapevine, September 2002
"A great Sauvignon Blanc..." Minneapolis Star Tribune, 10/9/02
"Very clean and fresh" –Michael Franz, Washington Post, January 1, 2003
90 Points for Best of Class (tie), California State Fair Wine Competition
Gold Medal, Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
Gold Medal, West Coast Wine Competition
Gold Medal, Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition

2000 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Barbara County

"Top Ten Wine of 2002" San Francisco Chronicle
Gold Medal for Best Wine of the South Central Coast, California State Fair
Gold Medal, San Francisco International Wine Competition
Gold Medal, American Wine Society Competition
Gold Medal, New World International Wine Competition
Gold Medal, Monterey Wine Competition
"Exceptional" –Dan Berger’s Vintage Experiences: August 16, 2001
"Highly Recommended" –California Grapevine
"Best Buy" –Insiders’ Wine Line: Volume 4, No. 4
"Highly Recommended" –Wine X Magazine: Wine X Blast
"4+ Stars" –Restaurant Wine Magazine: Issue #86

2005 Chardonnay Reserve, STA. RITA HILLS

Gold Medal for Best New World Chardonnay, Best of Class and Best of Varietal, 2007 New World International Wine Competition

 

2002 Chardonnay Reserve, Santa Ynez Valley

"90 POINTS…Plush texture…Finely balanced.” –Wine & Spritis, December 2004
“89 POINTS…Oodles of flavor…Rich, creamy texture” –Wine Enthusiast,
12/15/04

 

2000 Chardonnay Reserve, Santa Ynez Valley

"Stylish pear, melon, apple and tropical fruit notes...Good underlying
acidity, excellent purity." Robert M. Parker, Jr. (The Wine Advocate)

 

2005 Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County

Gold Medal, West Coast Wine Competition

 

2004 Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County

Gold Medal for Best of Class, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal, Long Beach Grand Cru
Silver Medal, New World International Wine Competition

 

2002 Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County

“86 Points…Appealing style.” –Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #154
“85 Points…Clean and balanced.”-Wine Enthusiast, August 2004
“Five Stars…Exceptional…Intensely flavored.”  –Restaurant Wine, Issue #100
"Sophisticated Chardonnay...Loaded with flavor" – John Long, Cleveland Plain Dealer: May 25, 2004
Gold Medal – New Orleans Wine & Food Experience

 

2001 Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County

"Three Stars...Recommended" -Decanter Magazine
Silver Medal, Orange County Fair Wine Competition
Silver Medal, Dallas Morning News Wine Competition

2000 Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County

"BEST VALUE," New York Times: May 29, 2002
"The voice of Central Coast Chardonnay with the volume on high...86 points" Wine & Spirits, September 2002
Silver Medal, Orange County Fair Wine Competition
Silver Medal, San Francisco International Wine Competition
Bronze Medal, New World International Wine Competition
Bronze Medal, Dallas Morning News Wine Competition

 

2006 Gewürztraminer, Santa Ynez Valley

“87 Points…engaging aromas of litchi nut, rosewater, and sweet grapefruit…More character, and less sweetness, than the typical California Gewürztraminer.” – Wine Lines, July 2007

 

2005 Gewürztraminer, Santa Ynez Valley

"Well-defined flavors of spices, peach and limes...Dry and Alsace-like...an especially encouraging find at this price." – Michael Dresser, Baltimore Sun, September 6, 2006
"Bursts with bright fruit flavors...Has to rank among the best in California." – Dennis Schaefer, Appellation America
Gold Medal for Chairman's Best of Class, Long Beach Grand Cru
Gold Medal – Los Angeles County Fair
"87 Points...Eloquently displays the floral and spice characteristics of this overlooked grape variety." – Robert Whitley, Wine Review Online
Gold Medal – Santa Barbara County Fair
89 Points and Silver Medal for Best of Class – California State Fair Wine Competition

“Four stars…lychee, lemon and passionfruit with just the right acid.” –David Falchek, Scranton Times-Tribune, November 8, 2006

“Aromatic, a little spice and just off-dry, with notes of lychee and rose petals.” -Laurie Daniel, McClatchy Tribune Newspapers, March 28, 2007

 

2004 Gewürztraminer, Santa Ynez Valley

"Richly aromatic...Clean and sharp.” -Wine Enthusiast, November 2005
"87 Points...Long, balanced and fresh.” -Anthony Dias Blue, Patterson's, 8/05
"Complex...Pear and green apple with mineral undercurrent.” -W. Blake Gray, San Francisco Chronicle, 7/7/05
"Silky flavors of mandarin orange, apricot and white peach...A delight.” -Jill Ditmire, Indianapolis Star, 5/4/05
Gold Medal, Santa Barbara County Fair Wine Competition
"Four stars...lychee, lemon and passionfruit with just the right acid.” -David Falcheck, Scranton Times-Tribune, November 8, 2006

 

2003 Gewürztraminer, Santa Ynez Valley

85 POINTS…A very nice value in Gewürz” -Wine Enthusiast, September 2004
“Shapely white...A deal” -Leslie Sbrocco, San Francisco Chronicle, August 19, 2004
“Aromatic and crisp, with exotic aromas…” –Sante, August 2004
“Excellent…Lovely floral nose.” –Jill Ditmire, Indianapolis Star, 6/2/04

 

2002 Gewürztraminer, Santa Barbara County

“85 POINTS…A very nice value in Gewürz” -Wine Enthusiast, September 2004
“Shapely white...A deal” -Leslie Sbrocco, San Francisco Chronicle, August 19, 2004
“Aromatic and crisp, with exotic aromas…” –Sante, August 2004
"Lovely fruit...Yet another gem from Firestone" – Dan Berger, April 15, 2004

2001 Gewürztraminer, Santa Barbara County

"87 Points...Brimming with melon, litchee, peach..." Wine Enthusiast, 11/15/02
"Good Value" Wine & Spirits Magazine, December 2002
"Wine of the Week? –Dan Berger’s Vintage Experiences, January 9, 2003
"Excellent" –Dave DeSimone, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 15, 2003
Gold Medal, Orange County Fair Wine Competition
"Wine of the Week...Get ready for for a highly affordable wine adventure" MSNBC
Silver Medal for Best of Class, California State Fair Wine Competition
"Top ten wine for August...makes for great summer quaffing..." Anthony Dias Blue, Bon Appetit, August 2003

 

2006 RIESLING, VINEYARD SELECT, CENTRAL COAST

Silver Medal, San Francisco International Wine Competition

“86 Points The nose shows ripe green apple, sweet flowers, and pectin…A crowd-pleaser for the hot summer months.” - Wine Lines, July 2007

 

2005 Riesling Vineyard Select, Central Coast

“Nice complexity and notes of pear, melon, banana...Firestone hits the mark again. ” –Edward Deitch, MSNBC, April 13, 2006
“Recommended...apricot, ripe peach and apple character with crisp acidity.” –San Francisco Chronicle, April 27, 2006
“Packed with floral aromas and crisp, citrusy flavors.” –Leslie Sbrocco, San Francisco Chronicle, May 18, 2006
Critics Award, 2006 Critics Challenge
"Recommended..." –Laurie Daniel, San Jose Mercury News, August 2, 2006

“Delicious…elegant aromas and flavors…perfectly balanced by bright citrus notes.” –Kathy Marcks Hardesty, New Times, January 26, 2007

 

2004 Riesling Vineyard Select, Central Coast

Gold Medal for Chairman's Best of Class, Long Beach Grand Cru
91 Points, California State Fair
“Ripe apricot aromas and a silky texture...balanced and beguiling.” –Leslie Sbrocco, San Francisco Chronicle, April 14, 2005
"Very Pretty...Good value." –Laurie Daniel, San Jose Mercury News. 4/6/05
"Lovely fresh aromas and flavors of honeysuckle, white peach and apricots..." –Jill Ditmire, Indianapolis Star, 3/30/05
Gold Medal – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal – Los Angeles County Fair

 

2003 Riesling Vineyard Select, Central Coast

“Jasmine and litchi aromas...(one of) our picks.” –Karen MacNeil, Sunset Magazine, May 2005.“Sweet lemon and Elberta peach…Perfect with spicy foods.” –Quarterly Review of Wines, Summer 2004
Gold Medal – New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
"Hints of juicy tropical fruit, vibrant acidity and a touch of
spice..." –Leslie Sbrocco, San Francisco Chronicle, March 25, 2004
"Nice acidity...Good balance" – Colorado Wine News, April - June 2004
Silver Medal – Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
Silver Medal – Riverside International Wine Competition

 

2002 Riesling, Central Coast

Gold Medal and 94 Points for "Best Riesling of California", California State Fair
Gold Medal, San Diego National Wine Competition
"WINE OF THE WEEK" Dan Berger: 4/10/03
"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" --Wine X Magazine 4/23/03
Silver Medal, West Coast Wine Competition
Silver Medal, Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition
"Wine of the Week...A great aperitif." -San Jose Mercury News, Laurie Daniel, 6/18/03