Sine Qua Non is a California cult winery known for its Rhône style blends, unique bottle shape and artistic wine labels, and a very limited production of wine that is highly difficult to obtain. The winery is located in Ventura County, within the Central Coast AVA. The wines themselves are uniquely names, starting at the Queen of Spades, Twisted & Bent, Imposter McCoy, The Bride, Poker Face to the Red Handed.
Founded in 1994 by Manfred Krankl and his wife Elaine, they began making their own wines in 1994. Sine Qua Non's Syrahs were among the first American Syrahs to create significant interest in the worldwide wine auction market. From the second quarter of 1999 to early 2008, the value of Sine Qua Non wines at auctions appreciated by 163%.
Sine Qua Non's winery has been described by Robert Parker as "a facility that looks like a Mad Max movie set.” Sourcing fruit from a wide variety of growers from year to year, Krankl follows his preferences and has caused the winery to never make exactly the same wine twice, on which Krankl has said, "People buy Sine Qua Non. They don’t seem to give a toot where it’s from.”
For all wine collectors, and particularly those that love Rhone-styled wines, Sine Qua Non is indisputably something essential.
