June 2025 Newsletter

Summer has officially arrived in the Santa Ynez Valley…

…and with it comes one of our favorite times of year at Rideau. We hope you’re enjoying the wines in your June Cellar Club shipment! This season’s selection was crafted with care to reflect the brightness and balance of early summer—whether you’ve already opened a bottle with friends or are saving them for a special moment, we trust they’ll bring joy to your table.

---

RECENTLY AT RIDEAU

---

New Wine Release – 2024 Rosé

If you’ve had our saignée-method Rosé in the past, you know how beautiful this wine is year after year. We’re so excited to introduce our 2024 Rosé to both our Signature Tasting Flight and our website for purchase. This year’s blend—45% Syrah, 24% Grenache, 23% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, and 3% Carignane—is as lively and refreshing as ever. Juicy notes of ripe raspberry and creamy strawberry shine alongside a silky, mouthwatering acidity that keeps everything in balance. It’s the perfect companion for a warm afternoon, whether paired with grilled seafood, smoky barbecue, or simply enjoyed on its own.

Vineyard Update – Budbreak & Beyond

We’re entering what may be the most beautiful season in the vineyard—just after bloom, when the berries begin to form and the foliage is at its lush, vibrant peak. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic year. A warm winter brought on an early budbreak, but cooler temperatures in April and May gently slowed flowering, giving the vines a chance to catch their breath. Now, everything is on track for a beautifully concentrated and flavorful vintage.

Brunch Launch – Thank You!

We want to extend our gratitude to everyone who joined us for our new Sunday Brunch offering this spring—especially on Mother’s Day and Easter. Your enthusiasm made these days even more memorable. Keep an eye out for an announcement soon that will make our brunch even better (hint hint, it sparkles).

---

CELLAR CLUB CORNER

---

June Wine Club Shipment Wines

This month’s club selections feature a stellar array of whites and reds—each chosen to complement the season and highlight the beauty of Santa Barbara County terroir. We’re especially excited to reintroduce fruit from Garey Vineyard in Santa Maria. This new 2023 vintage marks our first sourcing from the site since 2018, and we know it’s a favorite Pinot Noir bottling for many of our members. Click below to explore tasting notes and technical details for each wine.

REDS

• 2022 Enchevêtré Rouge – A harmonious blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, this wine offers spice and delicate red fruit from the Grenache, velvety texture and chocolate notes from the Mourvèdre, and powerful dark berry elements from the Syrah. Drinkable now, it will also age very well for years to come.
• 2022 Estate Syrah – Grown sustainably on our estate in the Santa Ynez Valley, this Syrah showcases the gorgeous varietal character we’ve come to expect in our 20 years of production. The unique diurnal climate allows for perfect ripening, resulting in a wine with enough warmth during the day to fully mature the grapes and enough coolness at night to keep them structured and balanced.
• 2022 Cinsault – Sourced from Nolan Ranch in the Alisos Canyon AVA, this Cinsault exhibits aromas of underripe raspberry and strawberry, with hints of white pepper. The palate is vibrant yet refined, showcasing notes of red fruit and a touch of spice.
• 2023 Garey Vineyard Pinot Noir – This Pinot Noir from the Garey Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley offers an elegant and inviting nose with notes of plum, just-ripe cherry, pomegranate, and red-rose petals. The palate reveals rose hips, mulberry, red plum, and an exotic spice profile with hints of cardamom and coriander.
• 2021 Thompson Vineyard Syrah – Hailing from the storied Thompson Vineyard in the Alisos Canyon AVA, this youthful Syrah expresses itself as dark, meaty, and smoky with intense cherry and cocoa character. Big and bold, this wine should age very nicely over the next 10 years.

Red for Black Label Clubs

• 2022 Peake Ranch Pinot Noir – Grown at the cool climate Peake Ranch, this Pinot Noir provides a complex array of raspberry, hard spice, and varied red fruit elements. The wine sings with balance and depth, reflecting the unique terroir of the Sta. Rita Hills.

WHITES

• 2023 Estate Viognier – Bright and aromatic, this vintage bursts with white peach and jasmine, balanced by a refreshing mineral edge. Its subtle neutral oak aging lends a touch of creaminess to the vibrant palate.
• 2024 Brassman White – This Rhône white blend, fermented in stainless steel for freshness and clarity, opens with citrus blossom and white peach on the nose.
• 2021 Estate Roussanne – Grown on our ancient riverbed lower vineyard, this Roussanne exhibits surprising, razor-sharp clarity and definition not often seen in the varietal, offering a unique expression of our estate terroir.
• 2022 Chardonnay – Sourced from the acclaimed Zotovich Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, this Chardonnay features bright notes of citrus blossom and white peach, with hints of pear and a touch of honeydew melon. The subtle oak influence adds a layer of complexity to the vibrant palate.
• 2022 Riesling – Our annual sweet Riesling is a gorgeous, elegant expression of the varietal with lovely sweet tones, making it a delightful choice for those who appreciate a touch of sweetness in their wine.

White for Black Label Clubs

• 2022 Reserve Viognier – This Viognier underwent skin contact, neutral barrel fermentation and aging, along with complete malolactic fermentation, bringing richness to the palate while retaining the grape’s floral character.

Customize Online – New Platform Now Live!

We’re thrilled to announce that our new online platform is now live, making it easier than ever to customize your club shipments. Many of you likely had your first experience with it during the June release. A couple of weeks before each shipment, you’ll receive an email detailing the wines selected for your upcoming package, along with a link to your online profile where you can adjust your selection however you like. This has been one of the most requested features from our members, and we’re so pleased to finally bring it to life!

Thank You for Your Feedback on our Cellar Club Survey

We truly appreciate everyone who took the time to fill out our recent Cellar Club survey. Your insights help shape our offerings, events, and the overall Rideau experience. Thank you!

---

UPCOMING EVENTS

---

---

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP

---

We’re always looking for ways to help you make the most of your membership.
Here are a few quick tips to ensure you’re getting all the perks and benefits available to you:

• Reserve a Tasting: Enjoy up to six complimentary wine tastings every time you visit, depending on your club level. It’s one of the easiest—and tastiest—ways to make the most of your membership.
• Set Up Your Online Profile: Our new platform makes it simple to manage your account in one place. You can update your preferences, track past orders, and customize upcoming shipments once they’re released.
• Shop New Wines: Can’t make it to the vineyard? No problem. Your club discounts apply online, too—shop our latest releases from the comfort of home.
• Refer a Friend: Share the Rideau experience! If someone you refer joins the club and remains a member for at least a year, you’ll receive one of your club shipments for free.
• Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes and more.

---

As always, thank you from all of us at Rideau Vineyard for your continuing support. For 30 years now, we’ve done literally everything on-site, from planting the vines to packing up the wines that go into your shipment. We truly wouldn’t be here without you and we’re grateful for your ongoing trust.  If you have any questions about your membership, please don’t hesitate to contact us.