Introducing Acolytes Wines from Our Lady of Guadalupe. Available now from Vintegrity!
Our Lady of Guadalupe Wines was founded in 2018 by celebrated American winemaker Dave Phinney. Phinney gained international acclaim for his unconventional wine blends, such as The Prisoner. He continued to expand his reach through projects in various winegrowing regions, where he expertly crafted wines with distinct characters and striking label art. Phinney even took on ventures outside the wine world, such as Savage & Cooke Distillery – a craft distillery located on Mare Island, California, that produces bold, small-batch whiskeys and spirits.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of Phinney’s newest projects. Located in the Santa Rita Hills Valley AVA, Our Lady of Guadalupe is “truly a winemaker’s vineyard”. The winery is a reflection of Phinney’s precision and extreme attention to detail.
Santa Rita Hills
The location of Phinney’s vineyard was key to this venture. The Santa Rita Hills AVA is known for producing high-quality, low-yield fruit. The region is defined by coastal breezes coming off the Pacific Ocean, early morning fog, and ample morning sunlight. The valley’s orientation promotes a cool microclimate, ideal for growing both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.
Our Lady of Guadalupe vineyard consists of 127 acres of Pinot Noir and 6 acres of Chardonnay. Of the Pinot Noir vines, Phinney carefully selected 9 clones suited to their specific planting site to produce fruit of the utmost quality and ripening potential.
2023 Acolytes Chardonnay
Chardonnay from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA is celebrated for its precision and elegance – qualities that are gracefully reflected in this release from Our Lady of Guadalupe.
2023 Acolytes Pinot Noir
The cool coastal climate and diverse soil composition of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA lends depth, clarity, and an expressive character to Pinot Noir grapes grown here. Pinot Noir produced here has a remarkable presence on the palate with refined structure and subtle complexity.
The 2023 Acolytes Pinot Noir is an inviting ruby color with a sparkling, rosy rim. The nose opens with notes of ripe cherry, muddled strawberry, and a faint touch of sandalwood and baking spice. Layered flavors of red and blue fruits unfold alongside hints of cedar and white pepper, showcasing both depth and sophistication. The wine then concludes with a bright, lingering cherry pastry finish.
This wine is aged for 18 months in French oak.
