Legendary Sta Rita Hills AVA "La Encantada" Vineyard Changes Hands

LOMPOC, Calif., April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Richard Sanford, the universally recognized pioneer of pinot noir in the Santa Ynez Valley, and owner/winemaker at Alma Rosa Winery, has transferred ownership of his westernmost vineyard in the Sta Rita Hills AVA, La Encantada, to wine investment group Hillside Road, LLC. John Grunau of Grunau Wines (a passion project with his wife Adrienne Grunau, http://www.grunauwines.com/) is one of three partners at Hillside Road, along with brothers, and life long friends of Grunau, Scott Larson and Andrew Larson.

"We have a vision of honoring America's great vineyards," says John Grunau. Planted in 2000 by Thekla and Richard Sanford, La Encantada was the first (along with his Rancho El Jabali vineyard) to be certified organic in Santa Barbara County. 100 acres of almost entirely pinot noir, with small lots of both pinot blanc and pinot gris, La Encantada is at the heart of many premium bottlings and critical acclaim of the Sta Rita Hills AVA. "Adrienne and I have an emotional connection to this vineyard as it is our sole source for our 'Zero Eight One Five' pinot noir. When we learned of this opportunity, we couldn't let it pass by." As new owners and stewards of La Encantada, Hillside Road, LLC plans to leave all systems in place – In addition to continuing on as the main source of grapes for the Sanford's Alma Rosa Winery, Hillside Road, LLC will be working with the same vineyard management team, maintaining relationships with all winemakers, and farming organically in harmony with nature.

"These are the highest quality grapes in Sta Rita Hills. As a passionate wine investment company, all of us are absolutely thrilled."

Hillside Road, LLC is soliciting premium winemakers for grapes available in the 2011 harvest. Serious inquiries can be directed to John Grunau, [email protected].

About Hillside Road, LLC

Hillside Road, LLC is a passionate wine investment group. Holding to the synchronistic business model that has landed them where they are today, the partners at Hillside Road seek to carry on the tradition of premium grape growing and winemaking in America's -- and perhaps the world's -- finest vineyards.

Press contact:
John Grunau, (414) 406-2364, [email protected]

SOURCE Hillside Road, LLC