December 2025 Newsletter
Harvest has concluded here at Rideau…
…and we are excited to welcome to start of the holiday season! We hope you’re enjoying these late-fall days as we ease into the start of winter. This season’s wine shipment selections were crafted to reflect the richness and warmth of autumn leading into the holidays—whether you’ve opened a bottle with friends or are saving them for the celebrations ahead, we trust they’ll bring depth and delight to your table.
RECENTLY AT RIDEAU
Thanks to all who contributed to our Breast Cancer Resource Center drive!
In October, we were proud to donate 50% of all sales from our Rosé à la Fraise cocktail to the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara. Supporting this important cause means a great deal to us, and we were honored to present the check to the BCRC right here at the vineyard.
Harvest 2025 is in the books!
With our final fruit arriving in late October, we wrapped up a wonderful growing season. Below is a look at the fruit we brought in this year, organized by vineyard and tonnage. We’re thrilled with the quality and can’t wait to share these wines with you in the coming years!
| Date | Vineyard / Varietal | Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 9/9 | Home Ranch Viognier | 6.142 |
| 9/10 | Home Ranch Viognier | 5.846 |
| 9/11 | Garey Vineyard Pinot Noir | 1.627 |
| 9/11 | Garey Vineyard Pinot Noir | 1.568 |
| 9/11 | Peake Ranch Pinot Noir | 1.918 |
| 9/11 | Home Ranch Viognier | 6.452 |
| 9/12 | Home Ranch Viognier | 10.865 |
| 9/17 | La Encantada Pinot Noir | 1.085 |
| 9/17 | La Encantada Pinot Noir | 1.014 |
| 9/17 | La Encantada Pinot Noir | 0.995 |
| 9/30 | Home Ranch Roussanne | 4.371 |
| 10/1 | Rideau North Roussanne | 1.167 |
| 10/1 | Rideau North Grenache Blanc | 3.5905 |
| 10/2 | Rideau North Marsanne | 1.3675 |
| 10/3 | Zotovich Vineyard Chardonnay | 3.0655 |
| 10/6 | Camp 4 Sangiovese | 3.2315 |
| 10/6 | Happy Canyon Vineyard Malbec | 3.2235 |
| 10/7 | Rideau North Grenache | 4.1115 |
| 10/8 | Home Ranch Grenache | 6.19 |
| 10/8 | Home Ranch Grenache | 2.4495 |
| Date | Vineyard / Varietal | Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 10/9 | Home Ranch Syrah | 7.4325 |
| 10/9 | Home Ranch Syrah | 1.4675 |
| 10/13 | Home Ranch Syrah | 4.844 |
| 10/13 | Home Ranch Syrah | 1.015 |
| 10/14 | Rideau North Syrah | 1.2305 |
| 10/14 | Rideau North Syrah | 1.5085 |
| 10/14 | Rideau North Syrah | 2.0735 |
| 10/21 | Santa Ynez Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon | 2.9815 |
| 10/22 | Home Ranch Mourvedre | 2.681 |
| 10/22 | Home Ranch Mourvedre | 1.7535 |
| 10/23 | Rideau North Carignane | 1.138 |
| 10/23 | Rideau North Cinsault | 1.4245 |
| 10/23 | Rideau North Petite Sirah | 1.9865 |
| 10/23 | Rideau North Grenache | 0.2155 |
| 10/24 | Rideau North Sangiovese | 2.59 |
| 10/24 | Rideau North Petite Sirah | 0.1645 |
| 10/26 | Zotovich Vineyard Syrah | 2.091 |
| 10/29 | Rideau North Mourvedre | 6.7025 |
Excellent scores from Jeb Dunnuck and James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck and James Suckling are two of the most influential wine writers in the industry, each having cut their teeth at one of the world’s most prestigious wine publications. We’re thrilled to share that our new releases have received a slate of 90+ point scores from both critics. For an easy, mobile-friendly look at their full comments and ratings, click below to view each score sheet.
CELLAR CLUB CORNER
December 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. These releases include our brand new 2022 Château Duplantier, rated 92 points by Jeb Dunnuck. Click below to explore tasting notes and technical details for each wine.
REDS
- 2022 Château Duplantier – One of our most iconic reds, this robust Petite Sirah, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Grenache blend shows strength and balance in equal measure.
- 2023 Carignane – Our iconic 100% varietal Carignane shows all the classic qualities of this bottling, with silky, smooth tannins and a supple blend of both dark fruit and bright spice elements.
- 2021 Stolpman Syrah – The Ballard Canyon AVA is the source of one of our most robust and full-bodied Syrah expressions, from some of the oldest vines in the region.
- 2023 Cinsault – This bright, expressive Cinsault highlights juicy red fruit, gentle spice, and a fresh, food-friendly profile that makes it a versatile partner at the table.
- 2023 Zotovich Syrah – Sourced from the acclaimed Zotovich Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, this Syrah impresses with its cool-climate elegance, depth, and age-worthy structure.
Red for Black Label Clubs
- 2022 Reserve Estate Syrah – The pinnacle of our estate Syrah bottlings is this luscious, silky Reserve Syrah, which balances deep, dark, rich fruit with layer after layer of spice and earth.
- 2022 Siempre Malbec – Legendary in our program, this Black Label bottling sourced from Happy Canyon Vineyard is a yearly favorite.
WHITES
- 2024 Enchevêtré Blanc – This textural, round Rhône white blend showcases a gentle beeswax and honey character brightened by elegant tropical tones.
- 2024 Brassman White – A vibrant and expressive blend highlighting stone fruit, citrus, and a touch of florality, finishing with a crisp, refreshing snap.
- 2023 Estate Viognier – A richly textured estate Viognier offering layers of peach, apricot, and honeysuckle, framed by balanced acidity.
- 2023 Stainless Steel Estate Viognier – Our annual stainless steel bottling of Viognier has been a favorite for nearly 30 years, showcasing pure, lifted aromatics and a bright, clean finish.
- 2024 Estate Roussanne – Grown on our ancient riverbed lower vineyard, this Roussanne exhibits surprising, razor-sharp clarity and definition, offering a unique expression of our estate terroir.
- 2023 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. Subtle oak influence adds a layer of complexity to the vibrant palate.
White for Black Label Clubs
- 2023 Reserve Estate 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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Cellar Club Appreciation Night – Friday, December 12th
We hope you’ll join us for our upcoming December Appreciation Night, happening from 5:00–8:00pm, featuring live caroling by The Christmas Matters Quartet, Italian food from Trattoria Grappolo, and your favorite Rideau wines. This will also be your first chance to taste our December Pre-Release wine: the 2023 Estate Grenache, a perfect wine for your holiday meals.
RSVP required: Email cindy@rideauvineyard.com or call 805-693-9339 to reserve your spot.
Looking for a place to stay when visiting Rideau Vineyard? We’ve been building a network of local hotels that offer special rates for Rideau Wine Club Members! In addition to the King Frederik Inn in Solvang, which offers 15% off, we’re excited to announce our new partnership with The Genevieve Hotel in Santa Ynez, offering members 20% off their stay. Just use the promo code RIDEAU at checkout or mention it when you call to book.
Save the Date – Saturday, April 18th
We’re excited to share an early heads-up about a brand-new spring event coming to Rideau Vineyard. On April 18th, we’ll be debuting our first-ever celebration dedicated entirely to our red wines — a fresh and special addition to our annual lineup.
More details and ticket information are coming soon, but for now, be sure to mark your calendars!
Tasting Swap with Lincourt – January
We’re excited to re-introduce our popular Tasting Swap program beginning this January! Our first partner of the year is Lincourt Vineyards, our across-the-street neighbor.
For the entire month of January, Rideau Wine Club Members are invited to visit Lincourt and enjoy a complimentary tasting for up to four guests. You’ll just need to show the special email we’ll be sending out as we get closer to January — so keep an eye out for that!
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 peeks, event news, and more.
As always, thank you from all of us at Rideau Vineyard for your continuing support. For 30 years now, we’ve done nearly 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.