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    • follow us
  • spotlight
    • Kathy's Corner
    • blog
    • Gallery >
      • Pinkie's page
      • drink '728' photo gallery >
        • FiddleFest 2.0 Pictures
        • Drink 728 on 7/28 2018
        • Drink 728 on 7/28 Virtual Celebration
      • harvest >
        • harvest
      • our vineyards
      • our winery
    • in the press
    • in the movies
    • videos & radio
    • testimonials
  • trade
    • distribution
    • selling tools
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Think Pink!

1/27/2015

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We are a little over two weeks away from the pinkest party in town on February 7th!  As always, we celebrate the first release of the vintage with Pinkie's Party for our dry Rosé, Pink Fiddle! 

For those of you who don't know, it is the one day a year our cellar, in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, is covered in pink from top to bottom!  We even convince our Tasting Room Manager, Michael, and the Assistant Winemaker, Stephen, to wear the color as well! (Pictured on the right.) 

People come from near and far dressed as perfectly pink pigs, cowboys, ballerinas, and just about anything else made 
in pink!  One year, we even had a dress made of post-its!  It's the perfect place to not only drink pink, but wear it too!  While the costumes are always entertaining, we are also having a sit-down Bouillabaisse dinner paired with the delicious 
2014 Pink Fiddle!

Find out more details about the party here.  
But RSVP soon because space is limited!
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Fiddlestix In January

1/21/2015

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Last year's harvest has come and gone, but the work is far from done!   

January is a busy month around our estate vineyard, Fiddlestix.  Here's what we're doing this time of year:
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1. Hay & Cover Crops - We use hay to prevent soil erosion on steep slopes.  The cover crops we plant between the vine rows also help minimize soil erosion, as well provide supplemental nutrients to the vines.  In the springtime, be sure to look for the flowers in the cover crop, which attract beneficial insects.

2. Pruning Decisions - Like most Americans, now is the time of year when we think about cutting back. But instead of delicious desserts, we are talking about the vines!  We do this to regulate the number of growing positions on the fruiting cane and to stimulate healthy new cane growth, both of which foster the highest fruit quality.

3. Frost Protection - While we can't protect our ears from our assistant winemaker, Stephen, singing 'Let It Go' from Disney's Frozen, we can protect the vines from frost that attacks in the early morning hours. To counteract mother nature (or Elsa!) we use our wind machines to create airflow and to circulate the inversion layer around our vulnerable new buds.

All this hard work pays off when we see the first buds in the springtime of the new year, which signals the start of another fabulous vintage!
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Gangsters Past and Gangsters Present

11/7/2014

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Celebrating 25 Years - What you may not know about Fiddlehead...

11/3/2014

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A lot has happened in the 25 years that Fiddlehead has been around.  There were so many facts to choose from that we had a difficult time narrowing it down to just a few, but we did our best to bring you our favorites.  We still don't believe that Stephen, the Assistant Winemaker, has never fallen into a fermentation bin, but he swears by it!
Click HERE to zoom in!
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Happy Halloween!

10/31/2014

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Our costumes all started with the letter 'H'... Can you guess what we are?
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Opposite Day Dress-Up Day

10/24/2014

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This week's Office Dress-Up was Opposites. Opposite gender, opposite seasons, opposite of work clothes, and opposite of being a die-hard Giants fan.

We paired our opposite clothes with an opposite meal - our least favorite foods.On the menu was mayonnaise, eggplant, cottage cheese, peas, and Lima beans. 

What food would you have added to the list?
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And the winner is...

10/10/2014

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A BIG thank you to all the FIddleFans that liked, shared &
commented on this beautiful label to help us win 1st place in
Touring & Tasting Magazine's 'Favorite California Wine Label' contest!  
We couldn't have done it without you!
Add this label to your collection!
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What Makes the Sta. Rita Hills Unique?

7/31/2014

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Read on for the juicy details & fun facts, as well as a celebration coming in August!
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18 years ago I purchased a flower farm and have since turned it into my own slice of Pinot Paradise.  I decided to make this area the home of my vineyard, Fiddlestix, because I wanted to invest in the future of what is now the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in hopes that I could be a part of it becoming a noteworthy place…

I created Fiddlehead (my Winery) to focus on Pinot Noir and the place it is grown is essential to the personality of the brand. Fiddlehead is all about sense of place.  So after my early vineyard source - Sierra Madre - sold in the mid 90’s, and there was little Pinot Noir to be had from Santa Barbara County (and even less that was the top quality that I demanded for Fiddlehead), I knew the only way I could progress my commitment to Pinot Noir was to invest in the development of bare ground.
I tasted my way through a myriad of Pinot Noir districts and was impressed by just how delicious some of those old Sanford and Benedict wines tasted.  I was challenged to invest in a little known, cool-climate district and my search for land turned to what was then known as “the western, cool climate district of the Santa Ynez Valley”, and more specifically the Santa Rosa Road corridor, where clay-based soils make their home.  
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In 1996 I purchased the land for Fiddlestix.  The first blocks were planted in 1998 with dormant grafted vines, and the first tiny crop of Lollapalooza was produced in 2000!  In 2001, a group of us local winemakers successfully earned the Sta. Rita Hills AVA designation.  

In my time here, I have come to admire what makes the Sta. Rita Hills special.  Here are a few reasons which I believe make the Sta. Rita Hills area so unique:

1. Geography
It is the only wine valley on the West Coast that has an east/west transverse orientation, meaning the valley between the mountains where we are located runs perpendicular to the Pacific Ocean.  This means that the Santa Rita Hills are uniquely susceptible to the ocean's cooling influence; enabling diurnal ocean breezes direct access to the coastal valleys between the Purisima Hills and the Santa Rosa Hills.  It is this unique characteristic that makes the climate ideal for growing Pinot noir grapes.
2. Soil
I cherish the clay-loam, botella series soils for their influece in imparting spicey layered qualities to the aromatics and palate. These marine based soils are loaded with Chert and Monterey shale; they are well drained and not overly fertile.  All of these details lend themselves to a most complex and enticing wine. 
3. Diversity
The Sta. Rita Hills region is also repected for its agricultural diversity.  Not only is it known for its specialty, high end Pinot noir and Chardonnay producers, but it is also the home to crops such as lettuces, tomatoes, beans, walnuts, hops, just to name a few.
4. Sustainability.
We’re dedicated to sustainable farming practices.  Fiddlestix is proud of its SIP (Sustainable in Practice) Certification.  This distinction recognizes our commitment to responsible farming, to protection of the land, to education of our labor force, all of which lend themselves to making fabulous wine.
Sta. Rita Hills AVA at a Glance
More fun facts…

√    Sta. Rita Hills AVA is in Northern Santa Barbara County, California, USA. 

√    Sta. Rita Hills AVA lies between Buellton and Lompoc CA. 

√    100 square acres of hillside land, one of the smallest AVA's in California. 

√    99% of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA lies within the existing Santa Ynez Valley AVA, on the far western end.  Although         independent, Sta. Rita Hills AVA can be considered the Western sub-appellation of Santa Ynez Valley. 

√    Boundaries were established by winemakers and winegrowers in the area, marking maps on foot and in 
       4x4 trucks.  The boundaries were chosen specifically for viticultural viability and for the highest quality 
       Pinot Noir winegrape production. 

√    Approximately 2877 acres planted, mostly Pinot Noir with Chardonnay, small amounts of Syrah, Pinot Blanc, 
      Pinot Gris, Gewurtztraminer, Riesling and other varietals. 

√    Petition to establish Sta. Rita Hills was drafted and submitted in 1997, approved in 2001. 
       Fiddlehead purchased the land for Fiddlestix in 1996. 

In celebration of this unique region, the Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance is hosting their annual Wine and Fire Weekend showcasing the accomplished wines and producers on August 15-17, 2014.

Love the place, but hate the crowds?  That’s alright!  Join us for our “Super Pinot Sunday” open house at our Winery & Tasting Room in the “Lompoc Wine Ghetto” on August 17th.  It’s a rare chance to taste our entire Pinot line-up and a unique opportunity to catch up with me before we’re in the thick of harvest!  For tickets and more information, visit us HERE.
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Find a Local 728 Party!

7/15/2014

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We have friends at wine bars, restaurants and retailers all across the country who are excited for this year's 
Drink '728' on 7/28 National Toast!

If you can't make it to our Lompoc Winery party, we would love for you to toast with the Fiddlehead fans at the following locations...

CALIFORNIA
Hitching Post II, Buellton
Stop by anytime this weekend to celebrate with a glass of '728'...or better yet on Monday, 7/28 to join them for a toast!

Novo Restaurant, San Luis Obispo
Cheers to Justin and the staff at Novo for celebrating a week of '728' beginning on 7/28.  Stop in for your '728' fix!

Wine House, Los Angeles
Looking for '728' in LA?  Stop in at the Wine House and look for the shelf tag with the Fiddlehead Facebook Code.  You can link to our page at the same time you pick up your '728'  for your own celebration!

GEORGIA
Wisteria Restaurant, Atlanta
One of our favorite restaurants in Atlanta is doing a '728' on 7/28 party.  Make your reservation now for a great dinner and some delicious Pinot noir!

HAWAII
The Wine Shop, Koloa
We have been hearing all kinds of rumors of the fun "cheers" photo ideas these guys have in store. Come join them for a '728' toast and don't forget to say 728 for the camera!

ILLINOIS
Binny's Beverage Depot, multiple locations
With 30 locations, Chicago’s biggest wine retailer is celebrating '728' on 7/28!  Stop in to get your Fiddlehead Pinot and have your own celebration! (And mention that you like the '728' hats they’re wearing…)

Niche Restaurant, Geneva
In addition to its cuisine, Niche is know nationwide for its wine list...which includes '728' of course! Come grab a glass and join the toast.

NEVADA
Oil and Vine, Henderson
Thanks to Jennifer at Oil and Vine for making Fiddlehead one of her featured wineries – not just for 7/28, but all year long!  Check out this brand new store in Henderson featuring gourmet Olive Oil and boutique wines.

NORTH CAROLINA
1618 Wine Lounge, Greensboro
The wonderful staff & patrons of 1618 were the first to toast on 7/28 last year with their special '728' cheers at midnight! We can't wait to see what they have in store this year...

Great Grapes, Cary
In preparation for 7/28, Great Grapes is holding a tasting on Sunday, 7/27 from 2-5 and will be featuring special discounts on '728'! 

OHIO
Western Reserve Wines, Solon 
The crew at Western Reserve wines toasted early (with Kathy!) on 7/18, but if you need a bottle of '728' for your own party, they have got you covered! 

Wooster Inn, Wooster
The good people at the Wooster Inn did an early toast with Kathy during her recent Ohio visit. But if your looking for a delicious meal and a glass of '728' on 7/28, come on by and say hello to Ken, the Wooster Inn Proprietor and Resident "Wine Guy".
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Sneak Preview into the 2013 Harvest

8/20/2013

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The thrill and angst of harvest is in the air!  The valley is filling with pick-up truck and tractor buzz.  Crews are filtering in and out of the vineyards applying bird nets, removing green, lesser ripe clusters from grapevines (“green drop”), and winemakers are tasting and sampling and are eager to set the pace for the new vintage.  Grapes are “coloring up”, flavors are evolving, and many of us are picking for sparkling wines – a wonderful “warm-up” event – which are harvested at a much lower sugar level than still wines…typically 17-18 Brix, compared to 21-25 Brix.  We had our first pick on Friday!  

Our vineyard and winery equipment has been inspected and fine-tuned.  Our bin dumper is on the forklift, and our 2012 Fiddlestix Pinot is racked and resting in barrel.  The picking bins are being cleaned, our press and fermentation vats are being cleaned, new rubber boots have been ordered and we are breaking in our seasonal harvest cellar rats. And to top it all off, we entertained with our final pre-harvest event …WINE and FIRE in the Sta. Rita Hills this past weekend!  Whew!
 
It has been a curious growing season, with the lack of rain having the greatest impact.  In 2013 we received only 6.9 inches of rainfall at Fiddlestix.  For comparison, in 2012 we got 13 inches, 32 inches in 2011 and about 28 inches in 2010.  The dry growing season means necessary micronutrients typically carried in the water are less available to the plant, resulting in grapevines that struggled with shoot growth.  Stunted shoots don’t have as many leaves for photosynthesis, and therefore can ripen only a smaller crop.  Thank goodness for irrigation as we were able to replenish many of the micronutrients that were missing from our normal rainfall.  As the season has progressed, we now have a relatively even canopy which helps promote even ripening within a vine row.

We love visitors in September, but beware…we may give you a pair of rubber boots and put you to work!  Night harvesting starts at 2 am!  But we throw a heck of a lunch party for our harvest crew. 
  
Cheers to vintage 2013!

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FIDDLEHEAD CELLARS, 1597 E. CHESTNUT AVENUE LOMPOC, CA 93436
Call or email to request private tasting appointments and to coordinate wine pick-ups.
 1 805.735.7728 (weekdays only) 
tastings@fiddleheadcellars.com

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