The Sine Qua Non wines were founded in 1994 by Manfred and Elaine Krankl in Ventura, on California's Central Coast, the winery can be described as the epitome of an artisanal, cult winery. The estate farms four different vineyards, each with different soils, micro-climates and a different but loving approach, that all share farming practices that are gentle, hands-on, natural (although not certified, they are essentially organic) and consistent. Wines that make you sense they were crafted by people who loved making them. Sine Qua Non, is a Latin phrase that can be translated as ‘absolutely indispensable’.
The husband-and-wife team makes mostly Rhone-style reds and whites in very limited quantities using such grapes as Syrah, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Roussanne, and Viognier. They also grow non-Rhone-origin grapes such as Petit Manseng, Touriga Nacional, Graciano and Petite Sirah. Varieties that work well on a Rhone canvas.
This 2019 blend of 76% Grenache, 8% Mourvèdre, 9.3% Syrah, 4.3% Petite Sirah and 2.4% Viognier can be described as flamboyant, deep garnet to purple in colour with exotic aromas of black raspberries and spices that gently flows into the palate of charcutertie, charcoal and aniseed. Its intensity offset by fantastic freshness, finishing long with a savory dried herb-laced lift.