The Sine Qua Non winery was founded by Austrian born Manfred Krankl, who immigrated to California in the 1980s. After a few years spent opening restaurants, he settled in Ventura to make wine as a hobby. Encouraged by friends and family who enjoyed his wines, he started marketing it in 1994. His first wine was awarded an excellent 95/100 by Robert Parker. The famous American wine critic subsequently awarded him a multitude of 100/100 scores and even dubbed him “One of the most creative and multidimensional winemakers on planet Earth”. In 2004, he began growing his own vines and gradually stopped buying in grapes. His vineyard is a reference for Santa Barbara County, but his limited output means that his wines are extremely sought after.

This wine is a perfect blend of 41% Roussanne, 26% Chardonnay, 14% Petit Manseng and 12% Viognier. Each plot is given specific care, depending on its needs. The vines thrive in Southern California, in the heart of Ventura County. The estate’s wines are particularly sought-after by connoisseurs, who often have to wait several years to unearth the cuvée of their dreams. In the winery, winemaking follows traditional methods, with minimum intervention. Once fermentations are completed, the wine is matured on its lees in French oak casks, 64% of which are new, for 23 months.
The extremely intense bouquet releases fragrances of peaches and kiwis, combined with subtle hints of smoke. The rich, full-bodied mouthfeel is characterised by spicy aromas leading to a lingering, flavoursome finish. This wine offers great ageing potential.