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In 1995, Sam Marmorstein purchased 10 prime acres in Los Olivos, California, and began planting Chardonnay and Syrah grapes. Bernat Vineyard and Winery was born (and named after his father). The owl on the wine label’s logo honors the owls that protect and watch over his namesake vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. In 1999, Bernat Winery, the smallest licensed producer, debuted its first estate-grown Chardonnay wine—24 cases. With the first grape harvest sold out in two months, Sam continued to use “old-world” methods of hand pruning, hand harvesting, and minimal processing of Chardonnay and Syrah grapes in making wine. The 1999 Syrah wine was bottled in July 2001; all 173 cases featured a well-structured wine with an excellent acid balance and firm tannins. The careful, handcrafted production of these highly acclaimed vintages continue to be produced in limited cases. Bernat |
Bernat