Alban Vineyards
Alban Vineyards is noted for being the first winery in the United States to focus only on Rhone varietals. They make several wines using fruit from their estate vineyards as well as grapes sourced from the Paso Robles AVA. Owner John Alban was one of the original proponents of Rhone varietals in California.
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Alban Vineyards has been producing exclusively Rhone varietals long before it was popular to do so. Located in the beautiful Edna Valley AVA, Alban specializes in Syrah, Grenache, Marsanne, Viognier, and Roussanne.
In 1989, John Alban began planting vineyards on his 250 acre property. Along with General Manager Paul Wilkins, Alban currently tends to 50 acres of Syrah, Viognier, and Roussanne.
The winery buys their Grenache and Roussanne from the significantly warmer Paso Robles AVA to the northeast. Alban makes a number of excellent wines including a blend of Syrah and Grenache. Alban’s 2001 Roussanne was made with about 5% botrytis grapes and aged in 50% new oak.
Seymour’s Syrah is made entirely with grapes from the thin, austere soils of Alban’s hillside vineyards. It has dark fruit and herbal tobacco flavors with a very complex finish.
Comments & Reviews
November 12, 2006 | wineguy55
Alban is one of my personal favorite producers. Their Viognier is outstanding and is a great California example of this tricky varietal.
November 12, 2006 | Ben Bicais
I completely agree, wineguy55. John Alban was one of the trailblazers of the movement to plant Rhone varietals in California. His Syrah and Roussane are quite impressive as well.
December 15, 2006 | Brad Jones
Their Syrah is to die for.
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