STORY
The genesis of Crown Point unveiled a site with undeniable attributes prompting consistent recognition. A confluence where rocky slopes fade into a loamy mesa providing distinctive personalities for Cabernet Sauvignon.
Positioned twelve miles north of the Pacific Ocean, tucked in between two mountain ranges, the mild Mediterranean climate distinguishes our wines. This unique topography delivers mineral-rich, nutrient-poor, stress-inducing soils.
An intimate understanding of site is at the core of our viticulture ethos. As stewards of the land, we take pride in understanding the prowess and challenges of our vineyard.
Owner and visionary Roger Bower discovered Crown Point Vineyard in 2012 in pursuit of the next frontier in Santa Barbara Wine Country, a boundary that connects Winemaker Simon Faury with renowned Consultants Michel Rolland and Philippe Melka.
An intimate understanding of site is at the core of our viticulture ethos.
ESTATE Vineyard
Eleven miles north of the Pacific Ocean, Crown Point Vineyards lies between the Santa Ynez coastal range and the flanking San Rafael mountains. The Mediterranean climate combined with the stress-inducing rocky soil creates the ideal balance to produce 45 acres of distinguished Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc.
We invite to explore our vineyard through the interactive map below.
Winery
At the epicenter of the Crown Point estate lies a retrofitted horse barn turned state-of-the-art winery. Surrounded by 45 planted acres, the winery’s connection to the site defines an estate property. The facility’s interior features French oak barrels with upright wooden oak fermenters. Surrounding the structure are concrete fermenters and stainless-steel tanks.
People
Roger Bower
Proprietor
Simon Faury
Winemaker
Michel Rolland
Consulting Winemaker
Philippe Melka
Consulting Winemaker
AJ Fairbanks
Estate Director
Juve Buenrostro
Vineyard Manager
Twana Connors
Chief Financial Officer
Jennifer Kocian
Hospitality Director
Vintages
2013
Inaugural Vintage
The 2013 vintage was void of extremes consisting of a warm, dry spring that ultimately advanced the season. Fortunately, we avoided the dramatic heat spells that often accompany such advanced timing. The lack of heat waves allowed for seasonally appropriate harvest timing for the Bordeaux varieties. Distinguishing the wines is a full-body, crushed-velvet tannin structure reminiscing the vintage conditions.
2014
Estate Selection Introduced
Due to limited moisture, the warm spring and moderate summer led to an earlier maturation. Less water and warmer temperatures provided wines with superb color and concentration. Ultimately, the wines possess a silky texture complimenting the vibrant fruit.
2015
Five Bordeaux Varieties
2015 was an extremely dry, early, and quick vintage etched in our memories for years to come. The winter and spring rainfall was well below average, and variable weather saw several hot days above 100° during July and August. Although a remarkably small vintage in terms of yield and quality – the fruit intensity was excellent.
2016
Cool & Graceful
Mother Nature graced the estate with a near-perfect growing season in 2016. Conditions in the vineyard were optimal for producing evenly ripe, concentrated fruit, which displayed rich, developed tannins right from the vine.
2017
A September to Remember
A mild winter and spring advanced bud break at Crown Point, followed by only seven 100+ degree days. We classify 2017 as a warm vintage but not extremely hot, with a final heatwave at the end of October. Our nighttime temperatures were cooler, with lows in the 50s throughout September and October. As a result, the minimal days over 100 degrees allowed ripening to occur gradually, providing integrated, fine-grain tannin accumulation, and a consistent maturation.
2018
A Classic Vintage
A temperate winter and mild spring gave way to a bud break that started in line with the seasonal average at Crown Point. June was warm (the 80s) and July warmer (consistently in the 90s), creating an early water deficit in the vineyard that mitigated berry size. There were only six 100 degree days pre-veraison and none following. The limited 100-degree days allowed the vines to ripen fruit void of heatwaves. The result is a classic vintage enabling the perfect flavor accumulation and tannin ripeness. Ultimately, the growing season reminisces of our fantastic 2016 vintage.
2019
A Mediterranean Growing Season
The 2019 vintage was fascinating beginning with a mild winter and reasonable amounts of winter rain (24 inches), well above the Santa Barbara County rainfall average. However, the cold month of May delayed flowering and harvest. We experienced one day above 100 degrees in June, three in July, two in August, and five in September, accelerating ripening and providing an attractive sweetness to the wines. October provided a respite for the vines and extended hangtime with temperatures consistently in the 80s. While the September heatwave marks the vintage, the cooler weather allowed the vines to recover and gracefully adapt.
2020
A Vintage for the Ages….
2020 is a remarkable vintage and the most memorable over the last decade. The winter storms brought roughly 15 inches of rain followed by a cool spring and summer. The summer climate ultimately defined the prestigious vintage with temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s. The late summer heatwaves were alleviated by cooler post-heatwave temperatures allowing the vines to recover.
2021
Exceptional Balance
A dry winter fortuitously followed by early spring rains led to a balanced budbreak and shoot growth. The remainder of spring was dry, in line with wine country averages. The summer provided slightly above average temperatures, ensuring superb fruit development and ripening. Remarkably, there were no days above 100° throughout the summer. The vines benefitted from these conditions, slowly ripening without heat stress. An extended hang time coinciding with a consistent cluster ripening led to vibrant color and fine grain tannins conjuring a memorable vintage. Ultimately, the wines are complex and structured as they will age well due to their refined balance.
