Justin Willett, began Tyler Winery  in 2005 with eight barrels tucked away in the corner of Arcadian Winery, where he honed his approach to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as assistant winemaker. Tyler is dedicated to producing wines of delicacy and balance, where structure and nuance are favored above all else. Their focus is Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, from exceptional vineyard sites throughout the Santa Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley within Santa Barbara County.

In 2019 Justin began planting a Santa Rita Hills estate vineyard – a forty-five acre property, with some twenty-six acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

In 2019 the winery produced 12 different bottlings from 22 parcels within 7 different vineyard sites. Total production is approximately 5000 cases annually.

Grapes for this wine are sourced from Bien Nacido, Dierberg, La Rinconada, and Sanford & Benedict vineyards in Santa Barbara County. The soils are a mix of sandy loam, clay loam, and shale. Hand-picked at night to ensure freshness, the grapes are further sorted at the winery. Fermentation takes place with native yeast.  No battonage is used and full malolactic fermentation is allowed. The wine ages for 11 months in French oak sur lies (15% new).

TASTING NOTES

Quite aromatic with grilled pineapple, citrus, minerals, and baked apple. Creamy and full-bodied on the palate the tropical flavors of pineapple and butterscotch blend in with citrus, minerals, toast, and spice. Good balance between the amount of oak, acidity, and flavor. It has a long finish.

FOOD PAIRING

Enjoy with heavier seafood, creamy pastas, chicken, quiche, and rice dishes. Sheppard’s pie will be a delight alongside this wine. Creamy cheeses, mushrooms, and rich soups will be good partners as well.

Charcuterie, Cheese, Chicken/Turkey, Cream Sauce Pasta, Fish-full flavored (salmon/tuna), Fondue, Grilled preparations, Ham, Lobster & Crab, Roasted Root Vegetables, Shellfish, Wild Game