| Region of production: | Santa Rita Hills AVA |
| Winery Location: | Lompoc |
| Year Established: | 1995 |
Vineyard Holdings
24.5 ha
- 3D Vineyard (4 ha): Predominantly sandy soils. Planted in 2007.
- Machado Vineyard (6 ha): Sandy clay loam soils.
- Hapgood Vineyard: Multiple clones planted on clay loam soils.
- Acin Vineyard (1 ha): Mildly sloped, north-facing vineyard on sandy soils.
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Rita Hills (Sta. Rita Hills AVA): Blend from 3D, Machado, and Acin Vineyards. Inaugural vintage 2007.
- 3D (Sta. Rita Hills AVA)
- Machado (Sta. Rita Hills AVA)
- 459 (Sta. Rita Hills AVA): 100% 459 clone from the Machado Vineyard.
- Hapgood (Sta. Rita Hills AVA): Inaugural vintage 2012.
- Acin (Sta. Rita Hills AVA)
Average Total Production
- 117,000 bottles
Summary
Greg Brewer, a French scholar, and Steve Clifton, a restaurant wine buyer from San Diego, founded their winery in 1995. Greg had been making wine at Santa Barbara Winery and Sunstone, while Steve was winemaker at Beckmen Vineyards. The winery moved to 100% estate production beginning with the 2012 vintage. In 2015, Brewer-Clifton sold majority ownership to an investment group led by MS Ken Fredrickson, marking the departure of Steve Clifton. The brand was subsequently sold to Jackson Family Wines in May 2017. Steve continues to produce wine for his Palmina label, and Greg worked at Melville Winery from its inception until 2015.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Brewer-Clifton makes its Pinot Noir with 100% whole-cluster fermentation. The wines go through a cold soak for up to seven days before a two-week fermentation. Élevage takes place in neutral barrels for 12 to 18 months, and racking is minimal. The entire winemaking process is gravity flow.
Producer Website: Brewer-Clifton