Stolpman Vineyards

History of the Winery

The story of Stolpman Vineyards began with a honeymoon in Napa Valley, where Marilyn Stolpman planted the idea of a vineyard in her husband Tom’s mind. A lawyer by trade, Tom spent the late 1980s searching for the perfect site, specifically looking for limestone soils near the ocean. He found it in Ballard Canyon and purchased the land in 1990. While the initial years involved selling fruit to other top producers, a shift occurred in 2009 when their son Pete Stolpman took over management.

Pete moved the winery toward a model of estate production and sustainability. One of the most significant developments in the winery’s history is the La Cuadrilla program. Pete formalized a system where the full-time vineyard crew receives a share of the profits. This approach ensures meticulous year-round farming while providing stability and ownership to the team that knows the vines best.

Winemaker

Kyle Knapp serves as the head winemaker. A Lompoc native, Knapp grew up surfing the local coast and working in the area’s wine industry. He started his career at Beckmen Vineyards and worked a harvest in Australia before joining Stolpman. Knapp advocates for a minimalist approach in the cellar to let the vineyard speak for itself. He utilizes native yeast fermentation and often employs whole-cluster fermentation to retain freshness and aromatic complexity. His style leans away from heavy extraction, aiming instead for wines that balance the natural intensity of Ballard Canyon fruit with lift and energy.

The 220-acre estate lies in the Ballard Canyon AVA, with vines planted on a distinctive limestone outcrop that imparts mineral notes to the wines.

The Property

The 220-acre estate lies in the Ballard Canyon AVA, with vines planted on a distinctive limestone outcrop that imparts mineral notes to the wines. Cool, windy conditions from the nearby Pacific keep acidity bright, and fruit profiles lifted. Dry farming encourages deep root systems for concentrated flavors, while organic methods support biodiversity. Key varieties include Syrah, which shows firm tannins and black fruit layers here, alongside Roussanne for white blends and other Rhone grapes like Grenache and Sangiovese. The site’s conservative vine balance yields structured wines that evolve with age.

Tasting Options

The tasting experience takes place at the “Fresh Garage” patio in downtown Los Olivos.

• Standard Flight ($25): A guided tasting of current releases, typically featuring a mix of white, red, and rose options. The atmosphere is casual and open-air, allowing guests to cycle through the wines at a comfortable pace.
• Availability: While walk-ins are accepted when space permits, the patio fills quickly on weekends, making reservations the most reliable option for securing a table.

Wines We Tasted

2023 Hair of the Bear $68 This distinct bottling is a co-fermentation of Petite Sirah and Roussanne. The nose presents a dense profile of blackberry compote, dried herbs, and a subtle floral lift provided by the white grapes. On the palate, the wine is compact and structured. The tannins are firm but coated by the richness of the fruit. Notes of cracked pepper and dark plum persist on the finish. It shows the power of Petite Sirah tempered by the aromatic nuance of Roussanne.

2023 August James (The Great Places) $128 Part of “The Great Places” series, this wine represents a selection from specific high-performing blocks. It opens with aromas of boysenberry, graphite, and savory meat drippings. The texture is concentrated and focused, with a strong mineral undercurrent typical of the limestone soils. While tight in its youth, it reveals layers of black fruit and crushed rock as it opens in the glass. The finish is long, drying, and savory, suggesting a long life ahead in the cellar.

More Santa Ynez Valley: our reviews of Dragonette Cellars, Holus Bolus, and Cordon of Santa Barbara Winery.