Dec 30, 2022
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Byington Winery
| Owner(s) | Los Altos Vineyards |
| Web site | www.byington.com |
| Link to this site |
Bill Byington found Byington Steel Treating in 1950, now the largest business of its kind in northern California. In 1958, Bill and his wife Mary purchased 95 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains with the intent of using it as a family retreat. In the early 1970s, a winemaker approached the family, wanting to lease part of their land for vineyards. Bill had been a wine collector and this implanted the seed for him to pursue viticulture. He planted 9 acres of Pinot Noir and Byington Vineyard & Winery was established with its inaugural release in 1987.
In 2013, Los Altos Vineyards bought Byington and updated the grounds and facilities. Beside estate grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Byington sourced other grape varieties from California winegrowing regions. In 2014, Los Altos Vineyards bought a 240-acre ranch in Alexander Valley in the Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak AVA. The ranch has 36 planted acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Chardonnay.
The stately winery is an ideal site for corporate and private events. The stunning 95-acre property has a 18,000-square-foot villa that houses winemaking facilities, tasting room, event facilities, and a man-made wine cave sits 40 feet beneath the Byington Estate Vineyard and is perfect for dinner parties. The winery tasting room is open daily from 11:00 to 5:00. Private tours and tastings are available for groups by appointment. There are extensive picnic facilities on the grounds.
Articles About Byington Winery
Reviewed Wines
2014 Byington Tin Cross Vineyard Alexander Valley Chardonnay
13.5% alc., pH 3.59, TA 0.57,
875 cases, $25. Harvest Brix 26.0º. Described on label as a “Chablis style,” this wine spent 12
months in stainless steel tank.
·
Light golden yellow color and clear on the palate. Clean aromas of
lemon creme, apple and Nutella lead to a crisp, bright, and streamlined wine with appealing flavors of
lemon-lime, melon, green apple and bay leaf. This French-styled wine will work nicely as an aperitif or
as an accompaniment to shellfish.
Score: 89.
Reviewed April 22, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Byington Byington Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.56, 775 cases,
$39. Harvest Brix 23.5º. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the
glass. This wine is quite different from the 2013 vintage bottling, offering aromas of red cherry, baking spice
and sandalwood. The mid weight core of red cherry and red berry fruits aim to please as does the spice
accent. Delicious would be a proper term.The tannins are balanced and overall the wine is quite precocious.
My only nit is that a hint of alcoholic warmth shows up on the finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed April 22, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Byington Tin Cross Harrison Block Reserve Alexander Valley Chardonnay
14.0% alc., pH 3.74, TA
0.48, 200 cases, $40. Harvest Brix 24.0º. Aged 12 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels.
·
Moderate
golden yellow color and clear in the glass. A hint of reduction accompanies aromas of nori, peach, lemon pie
and shredded bark. Slightly viscous on the palate, with fruit flavors of lemon, pear and peach, along with a
leesy note. Rather flat in character, lacking acidic vibe, finishing lean.
Score: 86.
Reviewed April 22, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Byington Wrights Station Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay
14.5% alc., pH
3.54, TA 0.52, $30. Harvest Brix 24.5º. Aged in 30% new French oak and 70% neutral oak.
·
Moderately light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of lemon curd, yellow apple, and
nutty oak come to the fore over time in the glass. The displays an intricate marriage of fruit and oak,
with flavors of lemon and yellow peach combined with blonde caramel and toasty brioche. Beautifully
balanced with a dancing cut of acidity fueling the refreshing finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed January 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Byington Byington Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.57, 265 cases, $39. Harvest Brix 23.5º. Aged
11 months in French oak barrels.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in
the glass. The perfume of cherry, sous-bois and pine is inviting. Vivid,
uplifting and charming on the palate, with mid weight flavors of fresh
cherries and a thread of dried herbs. Crisp acidity keeps the fruit vibrant
and the tannins are nicely integrated. The wine finishes with appealing
generosity.
Score: 91.
Reviewed April 22, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Byington Byington Estate Block 4 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.63, TA 0.56,
165 cases, $45. Reserved from the rest of the Estate Vineyard due to its distinct character and westward
location that faces the Pacific Ocean. Aged 14 months in 100% French oak barrels, 35% new French oak plus
5% Hungarian oak and 60% neutral American and French oak blends.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in
the glass. This is a cherry-themed, forward-drinking wine that is quite palate pleasing. Bright cherry aromas
lead to an impressive attack of black cherry fruit flavors that persist through a cherry-charged finish. A wine with
exemplary Pinot essence, a satiny texture and seamless character.
Score: 90.
Reviewed January 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Byington Tin Cross Vineyard Alexander Valley Chardonnay
13.5% alc., pH 3.59, TA 0.57, 875 cases, $25. Harvest Brix 26.0º. Described on label as a “Chablis style,” this wine spent 12 months in stainless steel tank. · Light golden yellow color and clear on the palate. Clean aromas of lemon creme, apple and Nutella lead to a crisp, bright, and streamlined wine with appealing flavors of lemon-lime, melon, green apple and bay leaf. This French-styled wine will work nicely as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to shellfish. Score: 89. Reviewed April 22, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Byington Byington Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.56, 775 cases, $39. Harvest Brix 23.5º. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. This wine is quite different from the 2013 vintage bottling, offering aromas of red cherry, baking spice and sandalwood. The mid weight core of red cherry and red berry fruits aim to please as does the spice accent. Delicious would be a proper term.The tannins are balanced and overall the wine is quite precocious. My only nit is that a hint of alcoholic warmth shows up on the finish. Score: 90. Reviewed April 22, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Byington Tin Cross Harrison Block Reserve Alexander Valley Chardonnay
14.0% alc., pH 3.74, TA 0.48, 200 cases, $40. Harvest Brix 24.0º. Aged 12 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. A hint of reduction accompanies aromas of nori, peach, lemon pie and shredded bark. Slightly viscous on the palate, with fruit flavors of lemon, pear and peach, along with a leesy note. Rather flat in character, lacking acidic vibe, finishing lean. Score: 86. Reviewed April 22, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 Byington Wrights Station Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay
14.5% alc., pH 3.54, TA 0.52, $30. Harvest Brix 24.5º. Aged in 30% new French oak and 70% neutral oak. · Moderately light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of lemon curd, yellow apple, and nutty oak come to the fore over time in the glass. The displays an intricate marriage of fruit and oak, with flavors of lemon and yellow peach combined with blonde caramel and toasty brioche. Beautifully balanced with a dancing cut of acidity fueling the refreshing finish. Score: 90. Reviewed January 17, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 Byington Byington Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.57, 265 cases, $39. Harvest Brix 23.5º. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The perfume of cherry, sous-bois and pine is inviting. Vivid, uplifting and charming on the palate, with mid weight flavors of fresh cherries and a thread of dried herbs. Crisp acidity keeps the fruit vibrant and the tannins are nicely integrated. The wine finishes with appealing generosity. Score: 91. Reviewed April 22, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 Byington Byington Estate Block 4 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.63, TA 0.56, 165 cases, $45. Reserved from the rest of the Estate Vineyard due to its distinct character and westward location that faces the Pacific Ocean. Aged 14 months in 100% French oak barrels, 35% new French oak plus 5% Hungarian oak and 60% neutral American and French oak blends. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. This is a cherry-themed, forward-drinking wine that is quite palate pleasing. Bright cherry aromas lead to an impressive attack of black cherry fruit flavors that persist through a cherry-charged finish. A wine with exemplary Pinot essence, a satiny texture and seamless character. Score: 90. Reviewed January 17, 2016 ARTICLE »