Brewer-Clifton

This was our first stop on our wine tasting trip. Found this place in Food & Wine magazine, but also recommended by one of the wine shop staff in downtown Santa Barbara for Chardonnays and Pinots.
Got here right at 11 when it opened. They had 2 different tasting options: $ 10 (Chardonnays & Pinots) and $ 15 (sparkling & Pinots). We just went for the regular since we weren’t familiar with their wines.
Of the ones I tried, I enjoyed:
–2009 Mount Carmel Chardonnay
–2013 St. Rita Hills Pinot Noir — popular and sold at other stores
–2009 St. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
Noticed some Japanese influences as the words they used to describe their wine flavors included shoyu and nori. They also had a tasting menu in Japanese calligraphy framed on the wall so I had to ask. It turns out one of the owner is very much interested in Japanese culture and the menu was of a restaurant that he went to in Japan.
Overall, pretty good Chardonnays and Pinots, but I left without a bottle.

When the only California wine that made Wine Spectator top 10 for the year is about an hour away from your home, why wouldn’t you go down there and check it out? All their wines were good. We tasted everything but the sparkling. They were sold out of the 2012 which Spectator rated. The tasting room is comfortable and decorated kinda funky. But there is seating for a pretty big crowd. They also offer private group tastings in the loft above the tasting room where they crack open different library wines as well (call ahead). Cool place and knowledgeable staff. It is a good place to start your tasting, they gave us some good recommendations for other area wineries.

fantastic wines, always a treat.

It’s like Ikea… without the meatballs but with bottles and bottles of great wine.

I contacted the vintner ahead of time and Greg Brewer graciously opened his tasting room for me outside of their normal hours, a rare occurence I’m told.
This facility houses Brewer Clifton and Diatom, and I believe is also shared with Palmina. The space is unassuming, casual, and very sleek and modern, and inviting at the same time. The stairs that led to the second floor were crafted from bamboo The winemaking facilities were immaculate. You could eat off the floor if you felt so inclined. Alas there was no wine being made, however, I did see one worker gal, Her job was to dip the tops of the bottles in wax and then in cold water so the wax would harden. So cool!
Huge fan of all their wines, especially Diatom, and now, after meeting Greg, even more of a fan. He told me he lets the grapes rest for awhile after being picked and before pressing begins. They were already startled and shaken up when they were picked off their vines so he gives them the extra time to relax. How thoughtful!
We tasted 3 different brewer clifton pinot noirs, my favorite was the one called cargasacchi, which was the sterner, more austere It was very interesting how 3 pinot noirs made in the same way and from the same varietal, but grown on different soil, could each be so vastly different. Also tasted 2 brewer clifton chardonnays… and my favorite: diatom hamon chardonnay and diatom hana shinobu. Instead of using the vineyard sites’ names, greg is now using japanese kanji in their place. I could go on and on about diatom all day and all night… To taste a diatom chardonnay is a literal spiritual journey of the palate.

This location no longer exist. The doors to their tasting room in the «wine ghetto» have signs pointing customers to Palminas tasting room. Too bad, i really wanted to try their wines.
Their website has their address as:
Brewer — Clifton
329 North F Street
Lompoc, CA 93 436

Greg (Brewer) and Steve (Clifton) are making some of the best Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir and Chards out of this winery warehouse in Lompoc, aka the «wine ghetto». Vineyards featured are Ashley’s, Seasmoke, Clos Pepe, Rancho Santa Rosa, Melville. The pinots are typically feature high alcohol content with varying degrees of stem inclusion and lots of central coast terroir.