In 1996, with forty years of winemaking experience, Jim and Mary Dierberg’s dream of producing wines worthy of their 250 year plan became a reality. After a long search through France and Napa, while learning the craft and making wine in the mid-west, they discovered the potential of Santa Barbara’s cool coastal valleys. The family planted two estates -first their namesake Dierberg Vineyard and later Drum Canyon Vineyard – both under their DIERBERG label. These estates, along with the family’s iconic warm climate site Star Lane Vineyard, culminated in a trio of peerless properties in Santa Barbara County.
Today, the entire operation is one big family affair, with the Dierbergs’ grown children and their spouses intimately involved in the day-to-day operations of the vineyard and winery.
Bankers by profession, Jim and Mary are no newcomers to wine. Since 1974, they’ve owned the Hermannhof Winery in Hermann, Missouri, which was one of the United States’ most significant wine-growing regions prior to Prohibition. Located about an hour’s drive west of St. Louis, Hermannhof is one of America’s oldest wineries. The Dierbergs have dedicated the past 40 years to renovating the property and raising its reputation as a place for education and entertainment.
While the town’s history and charm brought the Dierbergs to Hermann, the region’s Midwestern climate cannot support the traditional European varietals that Jim and Mary have become fans of over the years. In the 1980s, the Dierbergs began looking outside of Missouri for a place to plant that passion. After realizing that properties in Bordeaux and Napa Valley weren’t suitable for their desires, they chanced upon the Santa Barbara area in 1996.
Dieberg Vineyard:
Thirteen miles from the Pacific Ocean in one of the cooler winegrowing corners of Santa Barbara County, Dierberg Vineyard is on the western edge of the Santa Maria Valley appellation and is comprised of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Perched on a mesa above the south bank of the Santa Maria River, the property consists of sandy loam soils, heavily infiltrated by the marine sediments of yesteryear and kissed by the fog from the Pacific.
Founded in 1997, the family planted twelve “heritage clones” of Pinot Noir (tracing back to Burgundy). This diversity of material is rare in California, and allows the selection and discovery of the ideal clones to build the backbone of DIERBERG Pinot Noir. Chardonnay selections were derived from marquis cuttings of historic Wente clones — and the closely related Clone 4 grape. These California-developed clones are high quality and low yielding, producing expressive but graceful Chardonnays by retaining fresh structure with delicious ripe fruit.
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All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Marques de Casa Concha Heritage is made from 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, & 4% Petit Verdot.
Deep, dark red in color with lush flavors of cherries, blackcurrants, blackberries, cedar, and a bit of black tar. It shows a tremendous concentration of flavors and a smooth, almost silky texture framed by a firm tannic structure that truly stands out at the beginning of the long finish.
This wine pairs beautifully with grilled, roasted, or braised red meats and game in sauces that have a bit of acidity, with tomato or wine or with herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf. A perfect wine for most cheeses.
100% estate grown red blend from renowned Puente Alto terroir. Chile’s most acclaimed DO. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes are destemmed and crushed for fermentation, which takes place in closed stainless steel tanks with daily pump overs throughout the entire 10-day process. The new wine remains in contact with its skins for approximately 10 days, when it is devatted and malolactic fermentation is allowed to take place naturally.
The wine then underwent 16 months in French oak barrels, 40% first use, 60% second use.
El Mariscal vineyard is 600 meters above sea level and is made up of 52.95 hectares, of which 46.23 correspond to Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.52 to Cabernet Franc and 2.20 to Petit Verdot; and it has a density of 5,500 plants/ha, vines that come from mass selection and are mostly on loam. Meanwhile, Don Melchor vineyard is 650 meters above sea level and is made up of 125.96 hectares, of which 112.67 correspond to Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.28 to Cabernet Franc, 2.45% to Merlot, 1.28 to Petit Verdot and 8.28 to ground in rotation. It has a density of 2,000 to 4,000 plants/ha, and the new one (20%), planted between 2004 and 2017 and with a density of 8,000 plants/ha. The vines come from pre-phylloxera mass selection and are on loam. The vineyards are located in the Puente Alto denomination of origin, on the northern bank of the Maipo River, specifically on the river’s third alluvial terrace, which is one of the oldest and that instills great character and elegance to the wines that come from there. The soils are of alluvial origin, rocky, poor in nutrients, and highly permeable due to the amount of gravel in the subsoil, which enables excellent drainage. The climate is semi-arid Mediterranean with a strong influence of the Andes Mountains. This is the coldest part of the Maipo Valley. Its pronounced daily temperature oscillation of approximately 18ºC extends the grape ripening process, concentrating and intensifying its aromas.
Review:
Black pepper and cherry give way to hints of chocolate after some aeration in the glass. The same notes show on the palate and blend with bell pepper. This red comes from the alluvial soils in the D.O. Puente Alto and is full bodied, with a firm structure. Moderate acidity is enough to freshen up the finish.
-Wine Enthusiast 92 Points