Gnarly Vines

Husband and wife team Steve & Chrystal Clifton make the best wines from Italian-varietals outside of Italy period. These new world wines made in a traditional style are true to their varietals while expressing the terroir of Santa Barbara County and reflecting Steve and Chrystal’s passion for Italian food, wine and culture. Absolutely fabulous!

10% off prices listed below during the tasting!!!

• 2007 Palmina Malvasia Bianca Larner Vineyard – Santa Ynez Valley, Central Coast, CA

  Amazing aromatics of ginger, orange blossom, jasmine and honeysuckle, yet this wine is bone-dry with lively citrus notes, a silky texture and beautiful balance.   – $32

• 2008 Palmina Dolcetto – Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, CA

  Medium to light bodied, rustic yet ripe Dolcetto. Deep plummy aromas and flavors in a juicy, tasty wine with a firm, dry finish.  - $21

• 2007 Palmina Barbera – Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, CA

  Lush red fruit aromas with bright, fresh cherry and raspberry flavors. The wine is impressively crisp and light at 14.8% alcohol, and the finish is dry with medium tannins and lingering oak and spice.   – $25

• 2005 Palmina Nebbiolo – Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, CA

  Gorgeous, elegant Nebbiolo with pure deep blackberry fruit, hints of violet and firm tannins. It’s not a heavy or overly tannic wine, but has great finesse and balance.  - $32

Friday, Feb. 6, 6–9PM

2007 Maddalena Sauvignon Blanc – Paso Robles, CA – $15

Maddalena Sauvignon Blanc has bright citrus aromas with a touch of grassiness. The mouth is zesty and crisp with ripe flavors of citrus, green apple, and melon. The dry finish reveals slight mineral notes.

2004 San Simeon Cabernet Sauvignon – Paso Robles, CA – $28

Paso Robles is located in the central coast, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. It’s a great winemaking region due to its long, warm growing season and cool Pacific breezes. Check out this full-on, blackberry and spice bomb Cab Sauv!

2002 Cardeal Reserva, Touriga Nacional – Dao, Portugal – $13.50

Touriga Nacional is the major varietal in high end vintage port, but recently, has been making a name for itself as a dry table wine. Full-bodied, jammy, with a smooth, plush texture, this wine can easily stand up to bold, spicy flavors.

Wine Tasting – Friday Jan. 31, 6-9PM

2007 Domaine des Lises ‘Equinoxe’ Crozes-Hermitage Northern Rhone, France – $22

Winemaker Maxime Graillot was practically raised in the vineyards – this 100% Syrah is spicy and fabulous – a totally different experience from your basic Cotes-du-Rhone and a big step up. Crozes-Hermitages is spitting distance from the legendary villages of Hermitage. We got the last 2 cases so don’t get too attached!

2007 Terre Nerre Etna Rosso – Sicily, Italy – $21

Made from indigenous Sicilian varietals – Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Capuccio – from high altitude vineyards on the slopes of the dormany Mount Etna. It’s a fascinating red with bright red fruit flavors, crisp acidity, smoky and spicy notes as well as a hint of ash on finish.

2007 Lang + Reed Cabernet Franc – Napa Valley, California – $28

One of Napa’s finest Cabernet Francs – a bit lighter and pepperier than a Napa Cab, but richer than a Loire Valley Chinon or Bourgueil.

This tasting event was held on Friday, December 12.

2006 Sawbuck Chardonnay, Mendocino County, CA
Our new great-value, go-to classic Cali chard! – $12.50

Matchbook Chardonnay, Dunnigan Hills, CA
A higher-end, but still great value CA chard from the same producers as the Sawbuck
$16 per bottle or $30 per 1.5 Liter Magnum.

2007 Vinum Cellars ‘CNW’ Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg, CA
The anti-Chard, CNW stands for “Chard-No-Way“.
Taste it against our chards and decide for yourself. – $14.50

2007 R Wines ‘Bitch’ Grenache, South Australia
Our most popular party wine – especially for bridal showers! – $12.50

2006 Stephen Vincent Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Our new, great-value, go-to, everyday Cali Cab! – $12.50