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Cambria Winery & Vineyard

Cambria Winery & Vineyard Description

In 1972 a large vineyard was planted just 15 miles east of the Pacific Ocean outside the town of Santa Maria. Known as the Tepusquet Vineyard, it provided fruit to many wineries throughout the region as well as the entire state. In 1987, when the Kendall Jackson winery was looking for a cool-climate vineyard to expand their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wine production, they purchased the property and renamed it Cambria Vineyards.

Today the 1,600-acre property includes a large production facility surrounded by its four named vineyards. Cambria’s flagship wines -- Chardonnay, Syrah and Pinot Noir -- make up 90% of its sizeable annual production. As you drive up the hillside through the extensive vineyards you come to dozens of massive
20,000-gallon stainless steel fermentors back against two large winery buildings. Adjacent to the large tanks are some tables and umbrellas outside the tasting room.

The sleek, modern tasting room has hardwood floors, a leather couch and windows that look in on the 50,000-square-foot barrel room. In addition to maps of the vineyard, there is an educational exhibit on oak barrel construction, with cross sections of a barrel showing various degrees of the “toasting” that ultimately contributes to a wine’s bouquet. From the attractive poured concrete tasting bar you can look out over the vineyards while sampling specialty wines available only in the tasting room. These include Viognier, Pinot Gris, Vin Gris and special clone-specific bottlings of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.