Sanctuary, A Sense of Place
A confluence of characteristics—soil, climate, elevation, sun exposure—creates a harmonious interplay between grape variety and vineyard site. The right terroir can bring a specific grape to its ultimate expression, making the vineyard a kind of sanctuary. Crafted from some of the most iconic regions in California, Sanctuary wines are an intimate sketch of their unparalleled origins: Napa Valley and the Santa Maria Valley on the Central Coast.
From three remarkable Napa Valley vineyards
Sanctuary Cabernet Sauvignon is the culmination of three remarkable sites in Napa Valley. The vines at Deux Chevaux Vineyard in Yountville, cooled by abundant wind and fog, yield grapes with vivid color and rich aromatics. Further north along the valley floor in St. Helena, Lawrence Vineyard boasts sandy soils, sun-drenched days and grapes that produce refined tannins. Ringed by mountain ranges in Calistoga, Napa’s northernmost region, Weppler Vineyard is a high-elevation site with loam soils and enough sunshine to deliver a ripe fruit character in the glass.
Bien Nacido Vineyard
Bien Nacido Vineyards, a standout among Pinot Noir sites in the Santa Maria Valley, rests in the shadow of a striking rock face, whose shards of Monterey Shale imbue the soil—and ultimately the wines—with pronounced minerality. Nestled 17 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the upper bench of Bien Nacido sees thick fog, creating a lengthy growing season. More time on the vine transforms the fruit in powerful ways, resulting in lignified grape stems and seeds, atypical for Pinot Noir. This translates to a greater depth of flavor and softer, rounder tannins in the glass.
Sebastian Donoso
As lead winemaker for Bonterra Single Vineyard, Alea Fina and Sanctuary, Sebastian Donoso imbues his work with a passion for crafting terroir-driven wines, rooted in regenerative organic practices. Raised around vineyards in his native Chile, Sebastian traveled to Northern California to pursue his degree in Enology and Viticulture. Enamored with the region’s hillside vineyards, he stayed to hone his craft at organic wineries throughout Mendocino County. Sebastian’s approach in the cellar amplifies the nuances of specific blocks and the terroir that defines each.
