Beckmen Vineyards

Beckmen Vineyards

2670 Ontiveros Road, Los Olivos, CA 93441
beckmenvineyards.com

Region: Santa Barbara County

Owners: Tom and Judy Beckmen

Winemaker: Steve Beckmen

About: As the first biodynamically farmed vineyard in Santa Barbara County, we focus on what counts: growing great grapes. We go beyond organ­ic farm­ing by treat­ing the farm as a liv­ing organ­ism, avoid­ing the use of her­bi­cides, insec­ti­cides, pes­ti­cides, or nitro­gen based fer­til­iz­er in our vineyards. Our priority is to produce a broad yet deep portfolio of wines to consistently provide a wine experience you can trust, including lesser-known varietals of Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Mourvedre, Counoise, and Viognier.

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Grenache Blanc. Beckmen Vineyards was the first winery to bottle a 100% Grenache Blanc wine in Santa Barbara County, before it was recognized by our government as a varietal. Since the varietal was not recognized by the government, we had to label our first vintage in 2001 “Grenache White”. We’ve made this wine from a tiny 0.6-acre block every year since.

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Grenache Blanc, discovered it at a Hospice du Rhone tasting, and was struck by the diversity of style in the variety.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? Teaching customers about the history, styles, and our interpretation, and turning them on to something new and different!