Zaca Mesa Winery

Zaca Mesa Winery photos, charts, maps, and wines.

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Our History
The original property was purchased in 1972 by a group of ambitious investors. They planted the vineyard in 1973. With few other vineyards to learn from, the vineyard was originally planted with numerous varieties such read more...as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Chardonnay, and Syrah.
Zaca Mesa was one of the first wineries in Santa Barbara County since Prohibition. As the vineyard grew and viable production began, a winery was built on the estate in 1978 and later expanded in 1981.

By the early 1990’s, we had determined that the varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, and Roussanne) grow the best on our site. We, then, decided to focus on the grapes varieties of the Rhône Valley of France. Our decision was reinforced in 1995 when Wine Spectator placed our 1993 Syrah #6 on their Top 100. It is still the only Santa Barbara County wine to break into their top 10.

Additionally, our Syrah was served by President Clinton to French President Chirac at the White House.

As one of the pioneers in the Santa Barbara County, Zaca Mesa was a training ground for many. Ken Brown was our first winemaker and later started Byron in Santa Maria Valley. Jim Clendenen and Bob Lindquist worked at Zaca Mesa before venturing out on their own to start Au Bon Climat and Qupé, respectively. Other alumni include Lane Tanner, Daniel Gehrs, Chuck Carlson of Curtis, and Adam Tolmach of Ojai.

By 1988, the ownership group was reduced to just one of the original investors and that has not changed since. The Cushman family has a passion for winemaking and a long-term commitment to quality.

Our People
We are a small team of dedicated wine professionals. We are passionate about the wines we make and enjoy who we make them with.    (hide)

Gregory Dal Piaz

November 2009

Gregory Dal Piaz

It's A Vegetarian Thanksgiving Perfect for Breaking Out of the ordinary ... 2006 Zaca Mesa Roussanne Priced from $19.49 Really rich yet bright on entry, with a seductive...

mrgreenfur reviewed Zaca Mesa Roussanne NV:

November 2009

mrgreenfur

Zaca Mesa Roussanne NV

Snoothrank: 3/5

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mark reviewed Zaca Mesa Roussanne 2006:

November 2009

mark

Lovely light nose of peach and apricot. I really like the texture of the wine, it's creamy and juicy at the same time, with the tiniest bit of a bite at the end and a long creamy finish. Flavors have nice fat stone fruits...

Zaca Mesa Roussanne 2006

Starting at $25^.99 Snoothrank: 4/5

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ccarpita reviewed Zaca Mesa Roussanne 2006:

November 2009

ccarpita

Really bold and powerful with a soft touch, butteriness and mild acids are in perfect balance, the fruits are melonous and tropical. Would go great with couscous and salmon.

Zaca Mesa Roussanne 2006

Starting at $25^.99 Snoothrank: 4/5

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Gregory Dal Piaz reviewed Zaca Mesa Roussanne 2006:

November 2009

Gregory Dal Piaz

Lovely, intense aromatics combine hints of lychee and green tea with crisp green pear tones and well-integrated notes of fading spices, chalk, chestnut and lavender. Really rich yet bright on entry, with a seductive...

Zaca Mesa Roussanne 2006

Starting at $25^.99 Snoothrank: 4/5

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VegasOenophile reviewed Zaca Mesa Mesa Reserve Syrah 2006:

November 2009

VegasOenophile

- Tasted at Lee's Wine Experience 11/7/09

Zaca Mesa Mesa Reserve Syrah 2006

Snoothrank: 3.5/5

View VegasOenophile's favorite wines   |    View all VegasOenophile's wines and reviews

VegasOenophile reviewed Zaca Mesa Syrah Black Bear Block 2004:

November 2009

VegasOenophile

- Tasted at Lee's Wine Experience 11/7/09

Zaca Mesa Syrah Black Bear Block 2004

Starting at $55^.00 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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VegasOenophile reviewed Zaca Mesa Z Cuvee 2006:

November 2009

VegasOenophile

- Tasted at Lee's Wine Experience 11/7/09

Zaca Mesa Z Cuvee 2006

Starting at $17^.39 Snoothrank: 3/5

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VegasOenophile reviewed Zaca Mesa Roussanne 2006:

November 2009

VegasOenophile

- Tasted at Lee's Wine Experience 11/7/09

Zaca Mesa Roussanne 2006

Starting at $25^.99 Snoothrank: 4/5

View VegasOenophile's favorite wines   |    View all VegasOenophile's wines and reviews

larlar516 reviewed Zaca Mesa Roussanne Estate Bottled 2004:

November 2009

larlar516

Zaca Mesa Roussanne Estate Bottled 2004

Starting at $24^.34 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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JelaDragoljevic modified this page:

Oct 3

JelaDragoljevic

JelaDragoljevic added a photo for Zaca Mesa Winery.

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JelaDragoljevic modified this page:

Oct 3

JelaDragoljevic

JelaDragoljevic wrote a new description for Zaca Mesa Winery.

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