SINE QUA NON - Distenta I - White Blend 2019
Sine Qua Non is located in California , just north of Los Angeles in Ventura County , with several vineyards in Santa Barbara while the main vineyard and winery are based in Oak View . The first vintage of Sine Qua Non dates back to 1994, when Austrian-born winemaker Manfred Krankl released three barrels of Syrah named “Queen of Spades” with a label he had designed himself. Krankl sent a bottle to Robert Parker, who promptly gave the wine 95 points. The brand run by Manfred Krankl and his wife Elaine has achieved cult status since its beginnings; small volumes mean demand constantly exceeds supply.
Distenta I Blanc is mainly composed of Roussanne (41%), accompanied by Chardonnay (26%), Petit Manseng (14%), Viognier (12%) and Gelber Muskateller (7%). The grapes come from four vineyards; Eleven Confessions (46%), Cumulus (32%), and The Third Twin Estate Vineyard (7%), with 15% Chardonnay coming from Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. The wine was aged on lees for 23 months in puncheons, demi-muids and French oak barrels , 64% of which are new.
Grape varieties: 41% Roussanne, 26% Chardonnay, 14% Petit Manseng, 12% Viognier, 7% Gelber Muskateller (Muscat à petit grains)