Santa Barbara County is a quiet sanctuary of golden hills and well-groomed vineyards located three hours north of the glitter and bustle of Los Angeles. This is the place we call home. For more than 20 years, we have produced estate grown Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah from our benchland vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley AVA of Santa Barbara County. Welcome to Cambria.

Estate defines who we are and what we do. It tells us which vines to plant and where to plant them. As stewards of the land, we listen to the soil, the wind and the fog of the Santa Maria Bench. As an estate winery, we direct the farming, harvesting and vinification of every grape. Each Pinot Noir and Chardonnay we produce embodies the spirit and character of our land. More than just a vineyard and winery, our estate is our home.

Video: Pat Huegenard talks about the varietals grown at Cambria and the unique soil types on the estate.

Cambria's Katherine's Vineyard is planted in shallow, porous, exceptionally well-draining soils that restrict vine vigor, forcing the vine to focus on fruit development. Southern exposure and maritime influences from the Pacific Ocean 15 miles to the west ensure mild, even temperatures throughout the year. This moderate weather extends the growing season and allows the fruit to reach full ripeness while maintaining balancing acids.

Planted in 1991, Julia's Vineyard is situated in the heart of the Santa Maria Bench. The Santa Maria Valley is the largest east-west oriented valley in the state and acts as a funnel for the cool air that comes off the Pacific Ocean, approximately 15 miles to the west of the vineyard. The vineyard's soils are well-drained ancient, alluvial sandy-loam. Planted to Pommard Clone 4, its rows run east-west and the elevation is roughly 500 feet. The vineyard is sustainably farmed and offers one of the longest growing seasons in California.

The Tepusquet Vineyard is located at the eastern-most portion of the Cambria estate on a downward slope that shelters the vines from Santa Maria's prevailing winds. While somewhat protected, this is still a cool location thanks to the influence of the Pacific Ocean. Once the site of a prehistoric river bed, the soils of Tepusquet are sandy, porous and well-draining. The unique terroir of the vineyard results in rich, ripe, highly concentrated wines with great balancing acidity.

Bench Break Vineyard sits on the highest point of the family-owned Cambria Estate Winery. Formed from ancient eroded Monterey shale and quartz, the Bench Break Vineyard soils are the shallowest on the estate - restricting vine vigor and promoting fruit growth with smaller berries and more concentrated flavors. Maritime influences funnel in from the Pacific Ocean, cloaking the Santa Maria Bench in mild temperatures and extending the growing season. The Bench Break wines are rich, intense, powerful and concentrated.

The viticulture protocols have been developed over the last two decades to take advantage of the unusual growing conditions of the Santa Maria Bench. Techniques include leaf thinning to allow more sunlight on the clusters for full, even ripening, deficit irrigation to restrict vigor and focus the vine's energy on the grapes, and green fruit drop to promote the growth of densely flavored clusters.

Video: Denise Shurtleff shares details about Cambria Pinot Noir and its distinctive oak integration program.

Eight years ago we created our Julia's Artisan Program - a unique format that lets Santa Barbara County's most celebrated winemakers produce their own Pinot Noirs from Julia's Vineyard. The goal is to illustrate the influences and contributions of terroir and winemaking technique. At the beginning of the year, each winemaker selects their individual block to be farmed to our stringent estate standards. At harvest, each winemaker determines their own picking dates and the fruit is delivered directly to the individual wineries, where each winemaker controls their own fermentations, barrel aging and bottling. The results are educational, delicious and unmistakably Julia's.

As one of California's preeminent producers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on Santa Barbara's famed Santa Maria Bench, Byron Vineyard and Winery specializes in small lot, artisan estate winegrowing of the highest quality. The winery's Nielsen Vineyard has been at the epicenter of experimental, cutting-edge viticulture since its inception as the oldest planted vineyard in the region in 1964.

Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir is always very approachable and open, with lots of fruit and floral expressions. Feminine with a bit of an edge...

- Jonathan Nagy, Winemaker

Bill Wathen and Dick Doré have been making wine together since 1985, when they founded Foxen Winery at the historic Rancho Tinaquaic in northern Santa Barbara County. Since that time, their dedication has remained the same—the creation of very small-production, vineyard-designated wines using a "minimalist" approach to winemaking.

Julia's Pinot Noir is our mature woman, wise, soft, round, yet strong. Power without weight.

-Bill Wathen and Dick Doré, Winemakers

Lane Tanner began her career auspiciously, working as an enologist for the famed Andre Tchelistcheff in Lake County in 1980. By 1984, she had become a consulting winemaker, but it wasn't long before she began making wines under her own label in 1989, using the same artisan winemaking practices that she continues to use today. The winery remains a one-woman operation, focusing on Pinot Noir and Syrah from superb Santa Barbara County vineyards. Lane strives to make elegant, delicate gems that are fruit driven yet balanced, or in her own words, "girly wines."

Year after year Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir is "The Haunting Other Woman." She is dark, sensual and a little scary.

- Lane Tanner, Winemaker

Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post Wines are the creation of Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini, two friends that began making Santa Barbara County wines in 1979. Long before Hollywood discovered the winemaking landmark and its great wines, Gray Hartley, a former Alaskan salmon fisherman and Frank Ostini, the Chef and owner of the famed Hitching Post Restaurant in nearby Buellton, were brought together through their love of wine and winemaking.

We always enjoy Julia's for its deep cherry flavors and its ability to age gracefully into a complex glass of Santa Maria Pinot that gives you a nice combination of earth, spice and cherry fruit.

- Frank Ostini, Winemaker and partner-in-crime Gray Hartley

Long before the Santa Maria Valley benchland was recognized as a great winegrowing region, the native Chumash Indians knew it as "tepuztli," meaning copper coin. Later, Spanish settlers translated the word as Tepusquet. As part of an 1837 Mexican land grant, "Rancho Tepusquet" was home to cattle and row crops throughout the 1800s.

Proprietor Barbara Banke acquired a large portion of the original Tepusquet Vineyard (planted between 1970 and 1971) in 1986 to serve as the site for Cambria winery. Over the last two decades the vineyard has been expanded, replanted and updated with new clones and rootstocks to take advantage of the unique climatic and geological conditions of the Santa Maria Bench.

We acknowledge the importance of the geology, topography and climate of our vineyard; these elements greatly influence the flavor and texture of our wines. But the true quality and character of Cambria comes not from our terroir, but from our people. Our team is a wonderful group of hardworking individuals dedicated to producing wines that are complex, compelling and satisfying.

Video: Denise Shurtleff and Pat Huegenard describe the 'Cambria Spirit'.

In 1986 Barbara Banke purchased the Tepusquet Vineyard in Santa Barbara—attracted by the understated beauty of the region and the site's potential to produce some of the finest Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah in California.

Barbara graduated from UCLA in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1978 she earned a J.D. at Hastings Law School. Following her graduation, Barbara established her own practice specializing in land use and constitutional law. During her career as an attorney, Barbara argued cases before the United States Supreme Court and several Courts of Appeal.

Today, more than two decades later, Barbara continues to manage all facets of the Cambria Estate including farming, winemaking, sales and marketing.

As General Manager, Pat is Cambria's team leader. "I provide everyone the tools and direction they need to get their jobs done." Pat knows the Santa Maria Valley inside out. He was born and raised here. "I come from an agricultural background. Growing up I spent most of my summers on the family ranch."

After graduating from Chico State with a degree in Agribusiness and a Minor in Plant and Soil Science in 1994, Pat returned to Santa Maria to work for Cambria. "This was a great opportunity to get into the field that I loved. It also allowed me to stay close to home and family."

When not at Cambria Pat spends time hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, biking and trail riding. He lives in Santa Maria with his wife, two daughters and two hounds.

"I'm a morning person. When I get to the winery around 6:30 the light is amazing. I'll stand by the winery with the mountains behind me and the Sisquoc River below me and gaze out over a sea of bright green vineyards as far as the eye can see. The grandeur of the Cambria Estate is impressive."

Denise went to California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Food Administration, then joined Cambria in September 1999.

When not making wine Denise lives with her husband and two sons on their five-acre property. As a family, they enjoy camping, kayaking, swimming and sports in general. Denise loves to cook and grow fruits and vegetables on their land.

Matt Mahoney has spent his whole life in Santa Maria, California. His dad farmed and owned a ranch planted to row crops: broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower and artichokes. After high school he attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and graduated with a degree in agricultural business. During college Matt worked at Windemere in San Luis Obispo. "It gave me a good foundation for the wine industry. Since it was a small winery, I had the opportunity to do everything from working in the vineyard to pouring wine on the weekends." At Cambria, Matt oversees all aspects of the vineyard from new plantings to pruning and harvesting.

Matt enjoys shooting trap, golfing, mountain bike riding and working on his house. He lives in Santa Maria with his dog, a pug and beagle mix.

Rosella, a Santa Maria native, began her wine industry career five years ago managing the wine club at Foley Wine Group. She's been with Cambria for over a year and is currently the Estate Club Coordinator. Rosella is well versed in all things Cambria, as well as, the local community.

She loves interacting with wine club members and the winery staff; "the people here are like a little family, always willing to help to achieve a goal."

Rosella resides in Santa Maria with her husband and two dogs, Austin and Reno.

Our estate chef Taki Laliotitis and winemaker Denise Shurtleff have created several mouth-watering food and wine pairings. Click on the PDF to download recipes.

Pancetta and White Asparagus Pizza - PDF
Serve with Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir

Thyme Scented Seared Scallops with Morels - PDF
Serve with Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay

Grilled Duck Breasts with Bing Cherry & Plum Sauce - PDF
Serve with Tepusquet Vineyard Syrah

Saffron Red Snapper - PDF
Serve with Bench Break Chardonnay

Pappardelle with Savory Beef Smoked Ribs Sauce - PDF
Serve with Bench Break Pinot Noir

Baked Pears with Blue Cheese - PDF
Serve with Tequsquet Vineyard Late Harvest Viognier

Cambria specializes in producing distinct clonal Chardonnays. Clonal diversity is essential to complexity. Some provide bright citrus elements, while others offer savory qualities, a supple texture of high acidity. This range of plant material provides us with a wondrous palette from which to create our vineyard blends. And when a vintage warrants solo expression, we bottle clones on an individual basis.

Take a vineyard tour!

For greater texture and complexity, our Pinot Gris is 100% barrel fermented in neutral, French oak barrels. To retain structure and natural acidity we do not allow the wine to go through malolactic fermentation. For additional viscosity, the wine is aged on the lees-stirred one to two times a week-for 5 months. The finished product has aromas of ripe apples, cinnamon and nutmeg followed by distinct flavors of apples and mandarin orange.

Take a vineyard tour!

Set 400 feet above sea level on the Cambria Estate, the Tepusquet Vineyard possesses sandy loam soils that restrict vine vigor and increase concentration. Our vineyard team meticulously farms this site on a vine-by-vine basis. To ensure only ripe, clean berries, the fruit is hand-harvested by Cambria's experienced vineyard crew. Our Viognier has intense aromas and flavors of citrus blossom, lime, clove, cardomom and passionfruit.

Take a vineyard tour!

Cambria specializes in producing distinct clonal Pinot Noirs. Clonal diversity is essential to complexity. Some provide bright floral aromatics, while others offer an earthy note, a supple texture or a firm backbone. This range of plant material provides us with a wondrous palette from which to create our vineyard blends. And when a vintage warrants solo expression, we bottle clones on an individual basis.

Take a vineyard tour!

How do we get our rich and spicy Syrah? After harvest, the grapes are sorted, de-stemmed and cold soaked for seven days. The must is pressed off at 2.0 - 3.0 Brix and primary fermentation is completed in the barrels. Rack and returns are done every four months to ensure bright, open aromatics and silkier tannins. The integrated oak flavors and firm yet balanced tannins couple with cherry cola, dark fruit, cedar and mocha flavors.

Take a vineyard tour!

Benchland is perhaps the most prized piece of real estate on earth for winemakers. Blessed with ancient, complex soils, benchlands produce wines that are supremely balanced and utterly profound. The Cambria Estate vineyard is located 17 miles from the Pacific Ocean in Santa Maria. It is a remarkable place for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. It is 100% benchland.

91 Points, Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, May 2012:

"So elegant and sophisticated, this is a great value in California Chardonnay. Although it's dry, it's rich and delicious in pineapples, pears, mangoes and honey, with an opulent overlay of sweet oak. The brisk acidity is balanced, and gets the mouth watering."

This Chardonnay has aromas of fresh mango, white peach, citrus, vanilla bean and spice. The same fruit characters are on the palate and are accentuated by a bright, balanced acidity and subtle oak spice. The finish is lingering, clean and crisp.

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Pair with Thyme Scented Seared Scallops with Morels. View pairing recipes here.

90 Points, Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate, August 2012:

"A bigger and richer wine than the Katherine's, the 2010 Chardonnay Bench Break nevertheless retains much of the vibrancy that makes that wine so appealing. The aromas and flavors are beautifully layered through to the rich, creamy finish. The higher percentage of new oak (50%) and more frequent lees stirring gives the Bench Break much of its personality. This is another absolutely delicious wine from Cambria."

This Chardonnay is full of pineapple, pear, peach and slate alongside supporting notes of toast, nutmeg and vanilla.

Please call us at 888-339-9463 for availability.

Initial scents of butter and toast give way to pineapple, white peaches, pears, nutmeg, vanilla and slate. It has enough body to stand up to a wide array of foods and the balance to drink well on its own.

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The 2008 Unwooded Chardonnay is bright with fresh fruit aromas. In the mouth, it has flavors of ripe peaches and pears accented with pink grapefruit and other citrus flavors. The wine is crisp and fresh.

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For greater texture and complexity, our Pinot Gris was 100% barrel fermented in neutral, French oak barrels. To retain structure and natural acidity we did not allow the wine to go through malolactic fermentation. For additional viscosity, the wine was aged on the lees stirred one to two times a week for 5 months.

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The 2011 Viognier has intense aromas and flavors of citrus blossom, lime, clove, cardomom and passionfruit. The superb balance, concentration and crisp acidity continue from the mid-palate into a bright and long finish.

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92 Points, Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, February 2012: "Another lovely Julia's Pinot from Cambria, at a fair price. With its light tannins and transparency, it's definitely Pinot Noir, and the acidity testifies to a cool climate. You might even pick out the Santa Maria Valley from the crushed Indian spices. Subtle but intriguing cherry, cola and plum flavors round out the picture."

The 2009 Julia's Pinot Noir has aromas of red cherry, plum and rose petal. The supple, juicy entry and palate texture is held in check by a firm structural element.

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Pair with Pancetta and White Asparagus Pizza. View pairing recipes here.

"Dark berry fruit aromas accented with a hint of Asian spices; the dark berry fruit flavors combine with a nice earthiness; balanced tannins provide round and full textures in the mouth; the finish lingering and smooth."
– Denise Shurtleff, Winemaker

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92 Points, Anthony Galloni, The Wine Advocate, August 2012: "The 2010 Pinot Noir Clone 115 caresses the palate with seemingly endless layers of fruit. Silky tannins provide the backdrop for this impeccable, gracious wine. The Clone 115 isn't a huge Pinot, but rather a wine that impresses for its overall balance and sense of harmony. The Clone 115 was fermented and aged in 100% new French oak barrels, and subsequently bottled unfined and unfiltered. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017."

Deep garnet color. The aromas are packed with dark, ripe cherries and blueberries, vanilla and oak. In the mouth, there are ripe cherries, blueberries and sweet vanilla flavors. Firm tannins provide structure and the finish lingers with cinnamon spice and dark fruit flavors.

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The color of this 2010 is deep, dark and purple. The nose unites ripe blueberry fruit, subtle earth and rich oak aromas. The mouthfeel is silky and smooth with firm underlying tannins. The finish lingers with oak spice, earth and dark fruit.

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92 Points, Anthony Galloni, The Wine Advocate, August 2012: "Dark cherries, plums, flowers and spices flesh out in all directions as the 2010 Pinot Noir Clone 2A opens up in the glass. This is an especially rich, round Pinot endowed with gorgeous depth and fleshiness from start to finish. Cambria fermented and aged the 2A in 100% new French oak barrels, and subsequently bottled unfined and unfiltered. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017."

Aromas of strawberry and ripe red cherry fill the glass. The palate is silky, the texture is pure velvet, and everything comes together with balanced tannins.

Please call us at 888-339-9463 for availability.

Our 2010 Clone 4 Pinot has aromas and flavors of ripe grapes, cherries, pomegranates, cinnamon and sweet vanilla. The palate is packed with fruit, spice and earth and the finish is long and sleek.

91 Points, Glen Frederiksen, Wine Lines Online, September 2012: "This is a Pommard clone bottling. It's nearly opaque ruby/purple in color, with deep and concentrated aromas and flavors including black cherry, green tea, cherry pie and orange oil. Decidedly masculine in structure, with a long finish."

Please call us at 888-339-9463 for availability.

Cassis, violet, black peppercorn, cherry cola, mocha, cinnamon and earth.

90 Points, Glen Frederiksen, Wine Lines Online, September 2012: "Opaque purple/black color. Heady aromas of licorice, black cherry and berry fruit, blueberry, white pepper and a note of clove. The wine is plush in the mouth, showing sweet fruit."

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As an estate winery, the size of Cambria's production is limited by the acreage of our vineyards. We have chosen to focus our efforts on our estate vineyards on the famed Santa Maria Bench. The intimate bond we've forged with our terroir over the years allows us to produce wines that are authentic, complex and specific. Since many of our wines are made in extremely small quantities they are not sold in wine shops or restaurants. Instead they are reserved for our club members and visitors to the Estate.

A membership in any one of Cambria's Wine Clubs guarantees you will have first access to your favorite new releases, pre-releases, library selections and large format bottles - all at your member discount. As a Cambria Wine Club member, you will also receive personal invitations to special events such as our annual BBQ. There is no cost to join and your wines will automatically be shipped directly to your home or business.

• Choose the wine club that best fits you!
• Enjoy 20% or more off your wine purchases
• Take advantage of additional member shipment specials
• After one year of membership, you can reserve wines pre-release
• Minimum membership in all clubs requires three shipments to receive your discount

Our Collector's Mixed Club focuses on limited-production Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Chardonnay bottlings, such as our much-anticipated 2006 Barbara's Pinot Noir scheduled for release later this year. Selections are comprised of our Clonal wines, vineyard designates including Rae's and Bench Break, and rare magnum bottlings.

• Each shipment contains 4 bottles
• Shipments are sent in March, June, September, December
• Enjoy 25% or more off your wine purchases
• Individual shipment prices average $90-$120, plus applicable shipping and tax

The Collector's Red Club is dedicated to our limited-production Pinot Noir bottlings. Selections include our Clonal wines, vineyard designates such as Rae's and Bench Break, and limited-quantity magnum bottlings. All of these wines are highly sought-after and much acclaimed.

• Each shipment contains 4 bottles
• Shipments are sent in March, June, September, December
• Enjoy 25% or more off your wine purchases
• Individual shipments average $125-$155, plus applicable shipping and tax

This club features limited-production Chardonnay bottlings including our Clonal wines, vineyard designates such as Rae's and Bench Break, and limited-quantity, magnum bottlings.

• Each shipment contains 4 bottles
• Shipments are sent in March, June, September, December
• Enjoy 25% or more off your wine purchases
• Individual shipments average $80-$90, plus applicable shipping and tax

The Estate Club showcases the breadth of our property and the depth of our winemaking. This club includes every variety we produce - Pinot Gris, Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. As a member you will receive our well-known, vineyard-designate wines such as Bench Break Vineyard, as well as our limited-production Clonal wines.

• Each shipment contains 3 bottles which are sent in March, June, September and December
• Enjoy 20% or more off your wine purchases
• Individual shipments average $80-$98, plus applicable shipping and tax

As with the Estate Mixed Club, our Estate Red Club allows you to experience the range and character of our estate. This club offers a selection of our Pinot Noirs and Syrahs including vineyard-designate wines such as Bench Break Vineyard, as well as our limited-production Clonal bottlings.

• Each shipment contains 3 bottles which are sent in March, June, September and December
• Enjoy 20% or more off your wine purchases
• Individual shipments average $75-$90, plus applicable shipping and tax

As with all of our Estate Clubs, this club showcases our property's unique ability to produce a wide array of distinct wines. Shipments include Pinot Gris, Viognier, and Chardonnay. As a member you will receive a selection of our well-known vineyard-designate wines such as Bench Break Vineyard, plus our limited-production Clonal wines.

• Each shipment contains 3 bottles which are sent in March, June, September and December
• Enjoy 20% or more off your wine purchases
• Individual shipments average $55-$70, plus applicable shipping and tax

San Diego Living - a lifestyle segment on San Diego 6 - recently featured Cambria Tepusquet Syrah as a non-traditional pairing for Thanksgiving dinner. The Tepusquet Syrah passed wine expert Charlie Plummer's three key pairing elements for the dinner, which were to be able to stand up to the strong dishes, root vegetables, and sweet/spicy flavors.

To view this video, click here

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Cambria Winery & Vineyards
5475 Chardonnay Lane
Santa Maria, CA 93454
info@cambriawines.com

888-339-9463 or 805-937-8091

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Santa Barbara County is a quiet sanctuary of golden hills and well-groomed vineyards located three hours north of the glitter and bustle of Los Angeles. This is the place we call home. Visit us and enjoy the casual pace and elegance of our Tasting Room. Here our guests take the time to slow down and enjoy tasting Cambria wines.

Visit us daily from 10:00AM - 5:00PM. Call the tasting room directly at 805-938-7318.

Please call ahead if your group is larger than 8 people.

Rosella Guerrero

Estate Club Coordinator