Zaca Mesa Winery

The Zaca Mesa Winery is located in Santa Ynez California and began in 1972 when a group of friends purchased the land located about 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean. They relied on area vineyards to learn their craft and by 1981 had expanded. The winery became a training ground for other wineries and winemakers and many of the original owners went on to start wineries in other areas of the state and country. Zaca Mesa was the first winery in the area to make Wine Spectator Magazines Top 10 list. Their wines have also been served to dignitaries in Washington DC and at President Reagan's birthday party when he turned 80. The winery began to focus on Rhone varieties in 1997, pulling up much of the original vineyard and replacing it with higher quality vines. Only one of the original owners remains. Today, the estate is 750 acres with 244 plantable acres. The growing philosophy at Zaca Mesa includes lower overall temperatures, high intensity solar and UV radiation and less CO2, as well as a healthy environment and sustainability. The collection at Zaca Mesa includes Chardonnay, Z Three, Z Cuvee, Roussanne, Viognier, Syrah, a Mesa Reserve Syrah and the Black Bear Block Syrrah.