June 2026 Newsletter
Summer is settling in at Rideau…
After a warm March, an April cool-down, and plenty of spring rain, bloom arrived later than first expected. Now the vineyard is in its familiar summer rhythm as we watch the season unfold and wait to see what harvest will bring.
As bottling continues and the days grow warmer, we’re excited to share this Summer Cellar Club selection—fresh, expressive wines made for sunny afternoons, outdoor gatherings, and effortless pairing. Below, you’ll find the full list of wines in your shipment, along with technical details, winery updates, and upcoming events.
RECENTLY AT RIDEAU
The Winemaker’s Table
The Winemaker’s Table was a wonderful evening in the cellar, bringing together beautiful wines, thoughtful pairings, and great conversation around the table. Guests enjoyed a multi-course dinner surrounded by the barrels, with each course selected to highlight a different expression of Rideau reds.
It was a pleasure to welcome both longtime members and new friends for such a relaxed, memorable night. From the food and wine to the stories shared throughout the evening, it was exactly the kind of gathering we love hosting here at Rideau.
Mother’s Day at Rideau
We were so happy to welcome so many wonderful moms to the estate this Mother’s Day! Brunch was a smashing success — the tables were full, the wine was flowing, and the energy was exactly what a celebration like this deserves. Each mother left the property with a small goodie bag and fresh flowers, a little token of how much we loved having them here.
We were also thrilled to welcome the exceptional Bill Rotella, who brought his signature warmth and energy to the afternoon. Bill has a wonderful way of connecting with guests, and he had everyone smiling and singing along throughout the day.
Rideau is truly the perfect spot for family celebrations, and Mother’s Day is just one of many occasions where the vineyard comes alive with that special kind of magic. If you’re looking for a destination your mom will absolutely love, keep us in mind for every milestone — we’d be honored to be part of your family’s story.
The Leonie Cocktail Arrives!
One of the things that has always set Rideau apart is the close connections we form with our members — and The Leonie is a perfect example of that spirit in action.
We noticed that one of our longtime members had a particular way she loved to enjoy her wine, and it inspired us to create something just for her. The Leonie is a beautiful blend of our dry Estate Viognier and our Late Harvest sweet Viognier, brought together with fresh pineapple puree. The result is something truly special — bright, tropical, and refreshingly light, with even lower ABV than a regular glass of wine and just a touch of natural sweetness.
Think of it as a tiki-style drink with a Rideau twist. If you love the aromatic, fruit-forward qualities that make our Viognier so distinctive, The Leonie is going to feel like it was made for you — because in a way, it was.
Come visit us and give it a try. We think you’ll love it as much as she does.
Saturday Appreciation Nights
One of the most consistent pieces of feedback we’ve heard from members is a wish for Club Appreciation Nights on Saturdays — and we’re happy to say we listened!
Going forward, we will be hosting many of our Club Appreciation Nights on the Second Saturday of the month from 5:00–7:00pm. Appreciation Nights that fall during our Quarterly Shipment months — March, June, September, and December — will remain on the Second Friday of the month from 5:00–8:00pm, but all others will make the move to Saturday. We hope this change opens the door for many more of you to join us who couldn’t make a Friday evening work.
We kicked things off with our first two Saturday nights in April and May, and the turnout was fantastic. It was so great to see so many familiar faces — and some new ones — out on the property enjoying the evening. We can’t wait to keep the momentum going and see you at many more to come!
CELLAR CLUB CORNER
June Wine Club Shipment Wines
This month’s June Cellar Club shipment features a dynamic selection of whites and reds—each chosen to reflect the changing season and the distinctive character of Santa Barbara County terroir.
A quick reminder: Keep an eye out for your shipment notification email, sent a couple of weeks prior to each quarterly release. From there, you can easily customize your allocation to suit your personal preferences before it processes.
Below, you’ll find tasting notes and technical details for each wine in this season’s allocation.
REDS
- 2023 Estate Syrah – From a 4.6-acre hilltop block of Tablas clone Syrah planted more than 25 years ago, offering red and black fruits, peppery herbs, and floral nuances with a seamless mouthfeel and ripe tannins.
- 2022 Chateau Duplantier – A small-lot, age-worthy expression of the four Rhône varietals that define Duplantier, with dark plum, roasted fig, and black olive layered with cracked pepper and savory herbs.
- 2022 Enchevetre Rouge – A bold expression of Santa Barbara County Rhône varieties, this Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre blend offers vibrant red and dark fruit, savory spice, and a smooth, structured finish.
- 2023 Garey Vineyard Pinot Noir – From the cool, windswept hills of the Santa Maria Valley, offering concentrated red cherry and cranberry with vibrant acidity and silky tannins.
- 2021 Stolpman Vineyard Syrah – Sourced from the oldest Syrah vines in Ballard Canyon, showcasing concentrated dark fruit, savory spice, and refined tannins with structure built for graceful aging.
- 2022 Thompson Vineyard Syrah – One of Santa Barbara County’s most expressive Syrah sites, with blackberry compote, violets, peppercorn, and a plush, fruit-driven palate framed by fleshy tannins.
Red for Black Label Clubs
- 2021 Peake Pinot Noir – From the steep Peake Ranch hillsides in the Sta. Rita Hills, this Swan clone Pinot offers concentrated raspberry and red cherry with vibrant acidity and fine-grain tannins through a long, structured finish.
- 2023 Peake Pinot Noir – From the same steep Peake Ranch hillsides, the 2023 offers concentrated red cherry and cranberry with hints of spice and forest floor, carried by bright acidity and fine-grain tannins.
WHITES
- 2023 Estate Viognier – A textural, round Rhône white that balances richness and restraint, with white florals, stone fruit, and a polished, creamy finish.
- 2024 Stainless Steel Estate Viognier – Our classic bright and refreshing stainless steel bottling, with aromatic notes of jasmine, ripe apricot, and tangerine zest carried by crisp acidity to a clean, mouthwatering finish.
- 2023 Chardonnay – Fresh aromas of Meyer lemon, golden apple, and honeysuckle lead into ripe pear and toasted almond, with a bright yet creamy palate and a long, polished finish.
- 2024 Estate Roussanne – Grown at our estate vineyard in the Los Olivos District, this Roussanne offers orchard fruit, layered texture, and a silky, mineral-driven finish.
White for Black Label Clubs
- 2023 Reserve Estate Viognier – Twenty-four hours of skin contact, followed by neutral barrel fermentation and full malolactic conversion, give this Viognier rounded richness with a polished, creamy finish.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Cellar Club Appreciation Night – Friday, June 12th
We hope you’ll join us for our June Cellar Club Appreciation Night, happening from 5:00–8:00pm, featuring live music by TD Lind and the Aviators from 5:30–7:30pm, along with your favorite Rideau wines and a relaxed evening here at the vineyard. We’ll be cooking up tasty food for the event as well!
RSVP required: Email cindy@rideauvineyard.com or call 805-693-9339 to let us know you’ll be joining us.
Planning to stay overnight? Rideau Wine Club Members receive preferred rates at select local hotels:
Santa Ynez: The Genevieve Hotel – 20% off
Solvang: The Landsby Hotel – 20% off; King Frederik Inn – 15% off; Viking Inn – 10% off; Atterdag Inn – 10% off
Mention Rideau Wine Club when booking or use the promo code RIDEAU where applicable.
Ninth Annual Viognier Festival – Saturday, September 26th
Now in its ninth year, the Viognier Festival is one of Rideau’s most beloved annual celebrations—a lively afternoon dedicated to the varietal that helped define our story. Join us for music, food, and glass after glass of Viognier in the heart of Santa Ynez.
Guests can look forward to a special tasting of estate Viognier across multiple vintages and winemaking styles, along with a full glass of Viognier, fresh seafood, a keepsake event glass, raffles, and live music.
Whether you’re discovering Viognier for the first time or have loved it for years, this is one of the best days of the year to experience the range and beauty of this expressive Rhône variety.
Tickets: $100 for Cellar Club Members / $125 for non-members
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: Keep up with 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.