From Santa Ynez Valley, Qupe Marsanne is a 15% Roussanne, 70% Marsanne from Ibarra Young, 15% Marsanne from Pursime Mountain and 15% from Bien Nacida Vineyards. Fermented and aged in one year old Francois Frere French Oak barrels. Qupe is dedicated to produce hand-crafted Rhone Varietals and Chardonnays from California Central Coast. Their goal is to make wines with impeccable balance that can be enjoyed in their youth.
Robert “Bob” Lindquist first wine job was harvesting at the Fortino Winery where his enthusiasm and growing wine knowledge quickly got him promoted to assistant manager. Later he had an opportunity to manage a new tasting room in Ventura County, manage a retail wine shop in Los Olivos, owned by the Son of the owner of Zaca Mesa Winery, and a position as a tour guide in the winery. There were not many tourists in the early days so it gave Bob the time to spend in the cellar learning how to make wine under winemaker, Jim Clendenen, who became his mentor. A few years later, Bob started making the Qupe wines using Zaca Mesa’s facilities. A few years later he built a winery facility of his own and 20+ years later Bob continues to produce Qupe wines.
Wine is truly a family affair in the Lindquist household. Bob’s sons Ethan and Luke are both winemakers in their own rights and his daughter Paige manages the tasting room. Bob’s wife Louisa has her own label called Verdad, dedicated to Spanish varietals.
Qupe is an excellent choice for Chardonnay lovers who are looking for something different. Qupe Marsanne a classic, with a hint of green apple, pear and orange rind. Refreshing acidity with a balance of 12.6% alcohol, making this wine a great pairing with seafood.
About the Ibarra-Young Vineyard from the Qupe website:
The Ibarra-Young vineyard is a 14-acre vineyard located just south of Los Olivos in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. It is a category UC Davis Region II with cool overcast mornings turning warm during the day and cool at night, often with a 30 -40 degree day/night temperature difference.
The vineyard was originally planted in 1971 by Charlotte Young and her vineyard manager Miguel Ibarra to 10 acres of cabernet sauvignon and was contracted to Firestone Vineyard.
By 1979 that contract had expired and there was more demand for white grapes so Charlotte grafted over most of the vineyard to sauvignon blanc and chenin blanc. Charlotte was thinking about tearing her vines out and Bob heard about this and offered to lease the vineyard and graft it over to Rhone varieties. Between 1986 and 1989 the 10 acres were grafted over to 4 acres of Marsanne, 3 acres of Syrah, 1.75 acres of Mourvedre and 1.25 acres of Viognier . . . all on those original cabernet roots! Between 1996 and 2000, 4 more acres were planted to Albariño and Tempranillo for Louisa Sawyer Lindquist’s Spanish grape varietal project Verdad. In 2009 another Spanish variety, Graziano, was added to the vineyard.
Since 1999 the vineyard has been farmed organically and is still farmed by Miguel Ibarra. Miguel is now in his mid 70’s and every year threatens to retire and move back to Mexico, but thankfully he keeps coming back. He knows each one of these vines and just has an incredible farming touch.
“Greenish straw. Aromas of green apple, citrus peel and licorice. Juicy, easygoing flavors of orange, orchard fruits and spices, with a touch of sweetness giving it immediate appeal. A brisk note of lemongrass lingers on the dusty finish.” Josh Reynolds
