Spring has sprung, and I have photos from my visit to Beckmen Vineyards to prove it!
I traveled to the central coast of California for by best friend’s wedding last weekend, and when our route home took us through Los Olivos, I knew we had to stop for some wine at Beckmen.
I first visited Beckmen Vineyards in 2017 with my family.
We stumbled off-the-beaten-wine-country-path that weekend, and arrived at Beckmen Vineyards for a tour of the property and in-depth wine tasting. I was immediately impressed not only by the caliber of wine, but by the biodynamic practices that Beckmen employs. This family-owned and operated winery is a trendsetter in sustainability, having farmed their vineyard according to biodynamic principles since 2009.
You may remember the term “biodynamic” from my previous posts featuring Troon Vineyard.
They, too, are a biodynamic winery located in Southern Oregon. I’m convinced that when wine is made the way it should be—without herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, or nitrogen-based fertilizer—the character of the wine stands heads above the rest. I also appreciate transparency in food and drink industries, and biodynamic vineyards like Beckmen and Troon provide just that.
Some standouts from my last trip to Beckmen Vineyards were the Grenache Rosé, the Block Eight Grenache, and the Clone Syrah (which was poured for us from a Coravin, and was the first time I saw that awesome gadget put to work!). Many people talk about having an “ah-ha” moment with wine, and my first tasting experience at Beckmen was one of those for me.
I’ve been a fan of Beckmen and have purchased their bottles ever since that first visit.
I was thrilled to make a spontaneous trip back to the winery last weekend as we drove through the Santa Ynez Valley AVA. The hardest part of that afternoon was decided which bottle to enjoy!!
We settled on the 2016 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Syrah from Ballard Canyon. On first sip, it was rich, peppery, and full-bodied, and paired well with our sandwiches from Los Olivos Grocery (10/10 recommend stopping there next time you’re in the area!).
Here’s a little more about the flavor profile of the 2016 PMV Syrah:
Look: Deep ruby color
Smell: Complex smell of both fruits and pepper, smells became more blended as the wine opened up.
Taste: Bold, medium-tannins, taste of pepper mixed with the tannin hit the palate upon first sip, but as the wine opens, more nuanced flavors of dark fruit and subtle herbs appear. This is a big wine that would pair well with BBQ and red meat, and can stand up to some stronger food flavors.
Ratings:
94 Points: Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine
93 Points: Jeb Dunnuck
93 Points: Vinous
92 Points: Wine Enthusiast
Retail price: $32/bottle
I think my favorite part of Beckmen Vineyard is how tucked away it is in the Los Olivos hills.
You truly feel as though you’re in the middle of nowhere when you enjoy a glass of wine on Beckmen’s patio or in one of their gazebos on the pond. It’s also so refreshing to find a family-owned and operated winery truly dedicated to the craft of winemaking in the bustle of big brands along wine country highways. It’s worth winding down a couple of dirt roads to find your way to Beckmen Vineyards next time you find yourself in the Santa Ynez Valley!
What’s your favorite winery in the Santa Ynez Valley AVA (or nearby area)? Let me know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this article, please share on social media!
