Born of an obsession with Santa Barbara County terroir, Brewer-Clifton was formed in the early 1990’s by Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton. Both partners had significant sales and production experience with a multitude of Santa Barbara County wineries, and always felt compelled to push the limits of the fruit from the area further than their previous employers had set forth to do. They set out to put the essence of the best vineyards in the area into a bottle.
   Greg and Steve focus their efforts solely on the production of vineyard designated Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from several carefully selected, extreme vineyards in the new Santa Rita Hills appellation. The area's long growing seasons and diversity of marine-based soils combine to produce dynamic and explosive wines with great purity and precision. Each vineyard site is nurtured identically, allowing the pedigree of place to play the most significant role in their portfolio of wines.  Brewer-Clifton’s hand-crafted wines are only available in small quantities. Total production from the 1999 harvest was 550 cases, with volume increasing to 1,400 cases in 2000 and 2001.
    Greg Brewer is also the winemaker for Melville  which is a newcomer on the scene in Santa Barbara dedicated to estate grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah.

“This is a wine of two up and coming California superstars. Don't miss it. The talented Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton have admirably exploited the extraordinary potential that exists in selected micro-climates in Santa Barbara county. In a few short years, this young, energetic twosome have astonished this critic with the breadth and complexity of their wines. Their 2000 Pinot Noirs are among the finest New World Pinots I have ever tasted. Sadly, the production is small, averaging 100-200 cases of each cuvee.” Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

"Brewer-Clifton is a tiny two-man operation, with Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton overseeing all aspects of their winery, which makes single vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, all from Santa Rita Hills. The winery doesn't make a lot of wine, but what they do make is exciting. ... All of the B-C wines are worth the hunt." James Laube

www.brewerclifton.com

Chardonnay Mt Carmel
This steep, south-facing and celestial vineyard was planted by Ron Piazza and Paul Abrecht in 1991 in accordance with a cloistered order of Carmelite nuns. There are currently eighteen acres of Chardonnay in production, planted to what is thought to be Wente clone. The vineyard overlooks the Sanford & Benedict property and is brutally influenced by the marine winds due to its elevation and aspect. 190 cases produced

Chardonnay Sweeney Canyon
This eighteen-acre, Chardonnay vineyard was planted in 1981 by the Marks family who still own and farm it. The property is located along the Santa Ynez River channel just down and to the west of Mount Carmel and immediately to the east of Cargasacchi. Along with being the oldest planting,  Sweeney is also the only vineyard with which Brewer-Clifton has worked every year since inception in 1996. 190 cases produced.

"The 2004 Chardonnay Sweeney Canyon Vineyard reveals characteristics of sweet corn, honeysuckle, earth, oranges, and white currants. With wonderful fruit, a notion of wet rocks, and a full-bodied, intense, rich, tightly wound palate buttressed by good acidity and a firm structure, it requires a year or so of bottle age, and should drink well over the following decade." 93 Robert Parker #166

Chardonnay Melville
Chad Melville and the Melville family farm this stunning vineyard from which Brewer-Clifton has access to two particular sections. The 3/4-acre Chardonnay section in front of the winery was planted in sandy loam to clone 76 in 1998. 144 cases produced.

"Resembling a California-styled Corton-Charlemagne, the light golden-hued, full-bodied 2004 Chardonnay Melville Vineyard offers aromas of white peaches, crushed rocks, honeyed citrus, and subtle wood as well as brilliant underlying acidity. It possesses superb extract, richness, punch, and definition. Drink it over the next 7-8 years." 94 Robert Parker #166

Chardonnay Santa Rosa
This is the first of two offerings from the extreme Rancho Santa Rosa property owned and farmed by Bill Foley. This block, located at the upper elevation of the vineyard, is planted solely to clone 76 on a steep slope of limestone-rich soil which is quite atypical for our area. Bright aromas of flowers, lime and green tea followed by flavors of tapioca, cinnamon and crème brulée. Full-bodied with a rich, creamy texture. 2,016 bottles produced

"Orange marmalade, honeysuckle, and a note of damp earth characterize the full-bodied 2004 Chardonnay Rancho Santa Rosa. With terrific acidity as well as a striking minerality, it should drink well for 5-6 years." 92 Robert Parker #166

Chardonnay Seasmoke
We are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the limited chardonnay from this prestigious vineyard planted predominantly to pinot noir in the late 1990s. We have access to a three acre parcel from which we receive dijonnaise clones 76, 95 and 96. The block is in Metz loamy sand and is situated on a small mesa immediately above the Santa Ynez river.

Chardonnay Clos Pepe
Our one-acre Pinot Noir section was planted in 1998 on a knoll to Pommard clone on this 30-acre site owned and farmed by Wes Hagen and the Pepe family. While most of the vineyard is Pinot Noir (26 acres), we also work with a one-acre section of Wente clone Chardonnay planted on another windswept knoll in 1997.

"The 2004 Chardonnay Clos Pepe Vineyard exhibits a light gold color, crisp, tart acidity, hints of melons, oranges, hazelnuts, and smoke, an attractive, medium to full-bodied palate, and very good length." 90 Robert Parker #166

Pinot Noir Mt Carmel
This steep, south-facing and celestial vineyard was planted by Ron Piazza and Paul Abrecht in 1991 in accordance with a cloistered order of Carmelite nuns. There are currently 15 acres of Pinot Noir (clones 667, 2A, 5, 115, 777 and Mount Eden) and 7 acres of Chardonnay (Wente clone).


Pinot Noir Ashley's
Owned by the Fess Parker family, this vineyard, named after Fess’ daughter Ashley, is not only one of the largest in the appellation (200 acres), but also one of the steepest and most extreme. The two-acre Pinot Noir section is at the very top of the property, on a severely-sloped north-facing hillside. The soil is a clay loam planted to clones 114 and 115. Once the fog clears, you can seethe ocean from this block. The vineyard is farmed by John Belfy of Buona Terra Farming.

Pinot Nor Santa Rosa
This is another very ambitious project owned by Bill Foley of Foley Estates Winery. We have gained access to two very steep one-acre parcels of Chardonnay, each limestone ridden and planted to clones 76 and 96. We also work with a steep one-acre section of Pinot Noir planted to clone 667, also in soils replete with limestone. We received fruit for the first time with the 2003 harvest. The vineyard is farmed under the guidance of Stan Johnson and Beto Garcia.

"Sweet cherries, currants, and blacker fruits as well as hints of spice box and herbs jump from the glass of the medium ruby-colored 2004 Pinot Noir Rancho Santa Rosa. A nuanced, high brow, medium to full-bodied, delicately-styled Pinot, it possesses crisp raspberry, tart cherry, and blueberry fruit. One of the few Santa Rita Hills vineyards composed of limestone soil, it is planted with Clone 667. " 91 Robert Parker #166

Pinot Noir Cargassaci
If we were growers, we would love to be seen in the same light as Peter Cargasacchi. His sixteen acre clone 115 Pinot Noir vineyard was planted in 1998 at his family’s ranch at the far western end of the appellation. The hills surrounding his vineyard look almost lunar as they are comprised almost completely of diatomite and other calcareous materials. Our two acre section features some very unique soils. We know of no other grower who is as sensitive to his site and his vines as Peter. His commitment is admirable, and his insatiable quest to further his knowledge and his vineyard is inspirational.

  Greg Brewer, Steve Clifton