March 2026 Newsletter
Spring is beginning to stir at Rideau…
After a dry 2024/2025 rain year, we’re grateful to be off to a strong start this winter—with over 22 inches of rain so far and more on the way. The vineyard is quietly waking; bud break hasn’t quite appeared yet, but we expect those first signs of green in the coming weeks as we move into the heart of the season.
As bottling begins and the days grow brighter, we’re excited to share this Spring Cellar Club selection—fresh, expressive wines made for sunny afternoons and effortless pairing. Below, you’ll find the full list of wines in your shipment, along with technical details, winery updates, and upcoming events. Happy spring!
RECENTLY AT RIDEAU
Our Vineyard and Barrel Room Tours Return!
Our Vineyard Walk and Barrel Room Tours are back! These complimentary tours run Thursday through Sunday at 1:30pm and 3:00pm. Join one of our tasting hosts for a guided walk through the property and a visit to the barrel room for a closer look at how our wines are made. No reservations are required!
Excellent scores from Wine Enthusiast Magazine!
We’re thrilled to be featured in the February issue of Wine Enthusiast with a round of great scores. Thank you to Matt Kettmann and the Wine Enthusiast team for the thoughtful reviews. Click below to view the full list of scores.
CELLAR CLUB CORNER
March Wine Club Shipment Wines
This month’s March 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. We’re especially proud to include our 2023 Reserve Syrah, recently awarded 95 points by Wine Enthusiast.
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
- 2022 Eighteen Eighty-Four – Our estate GSM blend is a beautiful expression of three varietals from our unique echalas planting.
- 2023 Eighteen Eighty-Four – The latest vintage of our echalas-planted GSM highlights the synergy of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, with bright red fruit, savory herbs, and a lingering spice-laced finish.
- 2021 Zotovich Vineyard Syrah – Sourced from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, this Syrah shows cool-climate elegance, lifted aromatics, and age-worthy structure shaped by coastal influence.
- 2022 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.
- 2022 Estate Grenache – Sourced from our estate blocks, this Grenache shows vibrant red fruit, herbal nuance, and graceful structure framed by balanced acidity.
- 2022 Estate Mourvedre – Savory and structured, this Mourvèdre reveals dark fruit, earthy spice, and refined tannins that speak to its Rhône heritage.
Red for Black Label Clubs
- 2023 Reserve Estate Syrah – From a single, meticulously selected block with sun-dried stem inclusion, this Reserve Syrah is layered, structured, and deeply savory with remarkable depth and elegance.
WHITES
- 2023 Enchevêtré Blanc – This textural, round Rhône white blend balances richness and restraint, with white florals, stone fruit, and a polished, creamy finish.
- 2024 Brassman White – A vibrant and expressive stainless steel blend highlighting stone fruit, citrus, and a touch of florality, finishing with a crisp, refreshing snap.
- 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.
- 2018 Cuvee Doree Roussanne – Grown at the iconic Zaca Mesa Vineyard, this skin-contact Roussanne offers honeyed depth, layered texture, and preserved freshness.
- 2022 Chardonnay – Sourced from Zotovich Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills, this Chardonnay features bright citrus and orchard fruit with subtle texture and balance.
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, March 13th
We hope you’ll join us for our March Cellar Club Appreciation Night, happening from 5:00–8:00pm, featuring live comedy by Cash Levy from 5:30–6:30pm, plus freshly made tacos and your favorite Rideau wines. Cash has appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, and he’s known for his quick, improvisational style.
This will also be your first chance to taste our March Pre-Release wine: the 2023 Thompson Vineyard Syrah—alongside the wines included in your March shipment.
RSVP required: Email cindy@rideauvineyard.com or call 805-693-9339 to reserve your spot.
Planning to stay overnight? Rideau Wine Club Members receive preferred rates at select local hotels:
Santa Ynez: The Genevieve Hotel – 20% off; Hotel Ynez – 15% off.
Los Alamos: Skyview Hotel – 15% off.
Solvang: 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.
The Winemaker’s Table: An Evening of Rideau Reds at the Adobe – Saturday, April 18th
Join us on Saturday, April 18th at 5:30 PM for The Winemaker’s Table: An Evening of Rideau Reds at the Adobe — a limited-seating, multi-course dinner set among the barrels in our winery, thoughtfully paired to showcase a curated lineup of Rideau red wines.
The evening will be hosted by Winemaker Adrienne Rule, Assistant Winemaker Joe Tremblay, and Owner Martin Gauthier, sharing insight into the vineyards, vintages, and craft behind each bottle.
Seating is extremely limited and expected to sell out. More information, including the full menu, is available at the ticket link below.
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.