I first met Liquid Farm founder Jeff Nelson many years ago at at wine event. In 2011 I had the chance to visit the winery in Santa Barbara and do some barrel tasting with him. Jeff is an unassuming, down to earth guy that is passionate about old world wines. Jeff formerly worked many years for top Champagne houses and finally got the nerve to start his own winery, taking a Burgundian approach to new world Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Tasting with him I was overjoyed with the result which were highly bright Chardonnays and higher acid, yet earthy Pinot Noirs. I have since visited his winery several times and I would say that Liquid Farm is a must-stop for any serious lover of Santa Barbara County wines. Originally Jeff only wanted to make Chardonnay but he has focused some of his attention to crafting great Pinot Noir as well.
The wines are sourced from some of the most esteemed vineyards throughout the county. Liquid Farm has gained a nationwide reputation for top notch Rose. His 2018 Liquid Farm Rose (WWB, 92) is a stunning example of California Rose, showing incredible poise, texture and range. Even better was the 2017 Liquid Farm ‘White Hill’ Chardonnay (WWB, 94) which is Santa Barbara Chardonnay at its finest with the wine’s incredible brightness and salinity. This is truly one for the cellar. Learn more about this great boutique Santa Barbara County winer at http://www.liquidfarm.com/ Here are the beautiful new wines by Liquid Farm.
2018 Liquid Farm Rose- Sourced from the esteemed Vogelzang Vineyard in the Happy Canyon AVA, the Mourvedre based (95%) 2018 Liquid Farm Rose shows smoky undertones that collide with bright citrus zest and ripe red raspberry on this expressive nose. The gorgeous texture entices as the wine slowly unveils red cherry starburst candy, watermelon, guava and shades of white pepper with gobs of minerals on the palate. While a delight to savor in its youth, this brilliant new Rose will cellar well for at least another five years. Drink 2019-2023- 92
2017 Liquid Farm ‘White Hill’ Chardonnay- The ‘White Hill’ Chardonnay is sourced from the Clos Pepe, La Riconada, Bentrock, and Kessler-Haak Vineyards as this wine has been crafted since the 2009 vintage. Smoky, stony and showing a striking salinity on the nose, the wine unveils a beautiful, soft texture that entices. The sense of freshness and bright minerality produces gobs of mouth-watering acidity on the palate. Bright orchard fruits mingle with lemon oil, and shades of smoky tones with wild mushroom on this highly complex palate. Impossible to resist right now, this beautiful Chardonnay will evolve well for the next decade or more. Drink 2019-2029- 94
2017 Liquid Farm ‘Golden Slope’ Chardonnay- The ‘Golden Slope’ Chardonnay is an intense and stunning new bottling from the talented Liquid Farm winemaking team. Sourced from the Clos Pepe, Ritas Crown, Bentrock, La Riconada, Kessler-Haak and Zotovich Vineyards, the wine evokes rich saline soaked pear, macadamia nut and shades of smoke and wild mushroom that all are beautifully woven into the glass. The palate is rich and gratifying with a silky mouthfeel. Ripe Japanese pear, kumquat, damp earth and minerals all collide on this enticing palate. While seductive and rich in its youth, this stunning new Chardonnay will pick up lovely tertiary notes for a decade or more. Drink 2019-2029- 93
2017 Liquid Farm ‘SBC’ Pinot Noir- The ‘SBC’ is sourced from a collection of fantastic vineyards throughout Santa Barbara County. On the nose this evokes teaberry with bright cranberry with smoky and earthy undertones that all build momentum on the nose. The silky mouthfeel glides across the mid-palate, delivering medium bodied red cherry, red raspberry, orange zest, guava and wild mushroom flavors. Texturally beautiful, and showing good range, this excellent new wine will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2019-2029- 92