First cousins, Christian Tudor and Dan Tudor started Tudor Wines in 2000, from an ancestry including generations of wine grape-growers on the island of Hvar off Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. Winemaker Dan Tudor begins by using only grapes from the finest sites. Perfect balance of tannins, flavor, alcohol, acid and fruit is the goal. Only the finest three-year dried French oak barrels are used in a way that complements the wine without over-powering the elegance and finesse. The winery is in Paso Robles, wines are de-stemmed, cold-soaked, bottled unfined and unfiltered. Single vineyard wines are selected by individual barrels, and are free-run juice.
Tondre Grapefield is the source of most of Tudor wines, located in the center of the SLH appellation, with the Hook Vineyard Pinot Noir from further south in the SLH. The well-drained southeastern slopes of the Santa Lucia Highlands combine with cool, moist winds from the bay to create wines with complex and subtle textures. Individual rows are harvested at peak ripeness, not under-ripe and never over-ripe.
Current Releases
2016 Nacina "Off-Dry" Riesling, Tondre Grapefield, Santa Lucia Highlands - 825 cases
2015 The Highlands Project Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands - 150 cases
2020 Tudor Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley - 1500 cases
2014 Nacina "Wein der Eisbox" Riesling Ice Wine, Tondre Grapefield, SLH, 375ml - 406 cases
2014 Nacina "Wein der Eisbox" Gewürtraminer Ice Wine, Danny's, SLH 375ml - 256 cases