What the Winery Says

The Wine

The wine from this vintage reminds me of some I have tasted that come off of the slopes in northern Rhône’s Cornas AOC. Blueberry fruit, full palate, obviously big bodied and possessing a level of suppleness that entices you back for another sip. Kind of like a big hairy beast that is able to tap-dance. There is also some spice here, typical of the variety and the vineyard, adding interest to the mid palette and finish, moving the fruit into the mocha zone. If a monster, it is a friendly one, of the type that will make you want to curl up with it in front of the fireplace. Go ahead and relax, this beast will make you feel great and entertain you at the same time.

The Vintage and Vineyards

White Hawk vineyard sits on the southern facing slope of Cat Canyon, some 21 miles from the Pacific and 2 miles north of the town of Los Alamos. The marine influence causes cool, early morning fog to envelop the site before giving way to bright sun. It is planted at an elevation of 900 feet on pure sands that immediately drain off water and nutrients, forcing the vines to work extra-hard to survive. Yields here are low due to the smaller berries inherent in the syrah noir clone, the cool climate influence of the Pacific, and these exceptionally challenging soils. Although vines in the region in general got off to a late start in this vintage, those on White Hawk benefited from their higher elevation where they avoided the hard frosts experienced in low lying vineyards and received more sunlight. This was the third drought vintage in a row for Santa Ynez, and the sandy soils at White Hawk gave nothing back to the vines this year, allowing us to totally control their access to water and thus their vigor and yield. Heat spikes in August and September more than caught the vines up and the fruit was ready to harvest somewhat earlier than usual on October 9.

Technical Data

Vineyards: White Hawk

Cooperage: Francois Freres and Sirugue French Oak (20% new)

pH: 3.65

Alcohol: 14.3%

About the Winery

The founders of Robléon Wines are Robin G. and Charles Leon Wilkins, husband and wife. The company name emerges from the two founders,ROBin and Charles LEON. This Francophile combination of their two names personifies with everything they have enjoyed of France, from ancestry to culture, from food to agriculture, and from lifestyle to the French-style Robléon Wines of Santa Ynez Valley California. Click to learn more about our wine region.

Charles grew up in Southern California. “I am the son of farmers and ranchers, and the grandson of farmers and ranchers on my mother’s side of the family. As far back as I can remember we lived in an agricultural area and grew and raised all sorts of things, from crops to chickens, rabbits, pigs and cattle. As a young man I worked in the fields and around the yard planting, harvesting and delivering some of the crops grown. I attended the animals, watering, feeding and caring for them.”

Robin has French ancestry. “My grandparents were from the Provence area in the village of Valensol. My great grandfather was a French chef and I have fond memories of visiting his home for holiday dinners with great French food and wine. Enjoyment of cooking, food and wine were the focus of our family gatherings and even as a child I appreciated the value of conversation at the family table while enjoying food and wine. I also grew up in farming areas, tending my own vegetable garden from a young age. Each year I would set up a roadside stand to share my harvest with others. For me, grape growing and winemaking seems a natural part of my history by sharing the culture of good wine and food along with the bounty of the harvest.”

“All of this led us to the desire for acreage and agricultural land on which to involve ourselves in the fruits of nature. Agriculture is in our blood. It was only fitting that we would search for a place that could offer the ability to get back to our roots.”