Aequorea Viognier "Spanish Springs Vineyard" 2023
(San Luis Obispo, California) - [WA 93]

Winery Notes:

Latin for “Of The Sea,” Aequorea began in 2011 as a search for vineyards that ventured deep into the coastal no man’s land where we were raised. Here, on this foggy, windswept coast west of the Santa Lucia Mountains, they work with a group of dedicated growers who possess a shared passion for farming closer to the ocean than most anywhere else in California. From these special sites they focus on single-vineyard Pinot Noirs and aromatic white wines that are transparent of their terroir and the extremity of where they lie. All of the vineyards are no more than 6 miles from the ocean, blanketed by a thick marine layer in the summer which recedes each afternoon as cool breezes arrive off the Pacific.

Located 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean in Pismo Beach, Spanish Springs Vineyard covers a series of steep hillsides composed of uplifted marine seabed. It produces vibrant, energetic wines possessing gorgeous aromatics and striking salinity.

• 250 cases produced
• Fermented & aged 6 months 80% stainless steel & 20% neutral French oak 
• No malolactic fermentation
• Drink now thru 2032
• Alc: 14.0%

When it comes to making Viognier, we aim for a very different style than what is typically produced in California, showcasing what can be done with the variety on the extremes of the coast. Effusively aromatic but not at all heavy like most Viognier, it bursts forth with a bright, vibrant, floral personality that is unlike any Viognier you’ve ever tasted. White flowers, citrus, unripe pineapple, and minerals dominate the aromas, while the palate is distinctively atypical for Viognier. A lemony freshness with notes of pomelo, barely ripe white nectarine, sweet white grapefruit, and pineapple core, braced by tremendously fresh acidity and super mineral finish.

Ratings & Reviews:

93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:

"The 2023 Viognier Spanish Springs Vineyard sports a distinctively floral nose of chamomile, jasmine, lilies, orchard and citrus fruit aromas—a rare combination for this variety. The palate combines a medium-bodied richness with fantastic cut, clarity and zestiness without feeling thin or forced into a more slender frame. The finish displays a wonderfully tensile agility that redefines the grape's capabilities. A singular expression and something of a signature wine for Aequorea, I look forward to following this wine's aging curve over the next decade.

Operated in parallel with the Paso Robles-based Aaron Wines, the Aequorea label expresses winemaker Aaron Jackson's native San Luis Obispo Coast. In addition to these spit personalities, he is a relentless, enthusiastic champion for the region as a whole, proving such with his central, instrumental role in spearheading the formation of the San Luis Obispo Coast AVA itself. The Aequorea roster spans the entire region, from Derbyshire in the north to Spanish Springs in the south. The wines are sumptuous and richly textured but never stray from their coastal roots, consistently displaying beautifully saline, tense structures. 2024 - 2034." -ML (Jul 18, 2024)

Jeb Dunnuck:

The 2023 Viognier is juicy and racy, with a kiss of reduction in its tangerine, mint, and exotic flower-like aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, with solid purity, it's a vibrant, leaner expression of the variety that stays nicely balanced and elegant.