Donnachadh
(Pronounced: DON nuh kuh)
Donnachadh Vineyard
Family owned and organically farmed, Donnachadh Vineyard is located on Santa Rosa Road in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County. The property is 285 acres with approximately 40 acres planted to vine in 2013. We grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Gamay Noir.
The climate of the Santa Rita Hills is dominated by the Pacific Ocean, which lies about 9 miles from the vineyard. Morning fog cools the grapes and consistent afternoon ocean breezes keep heat from building up over the course of the day.
The vineyard consists of two main parts: the hillside blocks, and the riverside blocks. The riverside blocks sit alongside the Santa Ynez River. They are more sheltered from the wind than the hillside blocks and the soil is a delicate and well drained sandy loam that sits on top of deep layers of gravel river deposits. The hillside blocks are more exposed to the ocean winds. The soil there is derived from marine shale deposits and features more clay, rocks and cobbles than the riverside blocks. Overall, the hillside environment is quite challenging for the vines, limiting yields and producing grapes of exceptional character.
Donnachadh Wines
We strive to make wines that express the beauty of this amazing place. We are inspired by the wines of Burgundy and the Northern Rhone, but want to make wines that recognize our unique site. The cool climate and ocean breeze allow the grapes to ripen more slowly, developing rich, complex flavors while still retaining a bright natural acidity. There is a noticeable salinity, too, that further reminds one of the maritime environment that the wines come from. Finally, the varied terrain and soils, from the steep, rocky upper hillside to the gently rolling riverside blocks allow us to develop a lot of complexity and contrast within a relatively small area.
At harvest, we try to walk the line between capturing pleasing, ripe fruit flavors and keeping in touch with the subtle flavors and aromas that really make the site unique. We want to produce wines that express the fruit, the sun, the soil and, overall, have a feeling of depth, transparency, and inner calm. We want to make wines that will pair well with a meal, but that will also stand up to closer scrutiny -- that can be rewarding on their own.
Purchase
Donnachadh Estate and Sta Rita Hills wines are currently available for purchase in our shop. Donnachadh Wine Club members receive two shipments per year and a discount on all wine purchases.
visit
2938 SAN MARCOS AVE. #101 LOS OLIVOS, CA | 805.699.5802
We are excited to welcome you to our all-new Los Olivos Tasting Room!
Walk-ins welcome. RESERVATIONS encouraged.
Open Thursday - Monday, 11am - 5pm. We hope to see you soon!
upcoming events
Sam’s Birthday at the Tasting Room Glass & Bottle Specials all day!
Friday, November 29th, 11am-5pm
Tasting Room Anniversary Party at Pico Los Alamos
Saturday, December 7th. 4-6pm.
Purchase tickets here.
Ojai Food + Wine
March 13-16th.
Tickets will be available beginning November 12th, 2024 here.
Acclaimed winemaker Ernst Storm has been making wine on the Central Coast for nearly two decades. Born and raised in South Africa, Ernst studied viticulture at Elsenburg Agricultural School in the Western Cape, later working harvests and making wine in the famed Stellenbosch and Walker Bay regions of South Africa.
Longing to diversify his skills as a winemaker, Ernst took a job in the Sierra Foothills of California, gaining experience in a warmer climate; however, his love for cool-climate varieties led him to Santa Barbara County, where the Mediterranean climate, transverse mountain ranges and unique soil types create ideal conditions for growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah.
Throughout his career, Ernst has built a reputation for producing elegant, Old World-influenced wines that showcase personality of both vintage and site. He is the owner/winemaker of his own successful label, Storm Wines, which he founded in 2006, and consults on various other projects throughout Santa Barbara County and South Africa.
Racking Chardonnay
Cooper, Vilma, Ernst, Drew, Laurie, and Sam (Claire Hartnell Photography)
Bin of Calera clone Pinot Noir at the winery
Finishing up at dawn
Wrapping up a Pinot harvest before sunrise
2016 Pinot Noir harvest
Harvesting Pinot Noir from the hillside blocks
Picking Pinot Noir at night
Picking Pinot Noir at night
Finishing the Pinot Noir harvest at first light
Finishing 2017 Chardonnay harvest on a foggy early morning
Lydia, Vineyard Lion
Nighttime Pinot harvest 2016
Donnachadh Pinot Noir Harvest
Tasting fermenting Pinot in the winery
Jeff Newton and Ben Merz discuss the layout of what will become the hillside blocks of the Donnachadh Vineyard
Grazing what was to become the Donnachadh Vineyard Hillside blocks of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah