Samuel Louis Smith

Salinas, Monterey, California

Samuel Louis Smith is a micro-négociant based in Salinas, CA, focused on some of the coolest sites of the Central Coast. Mountainous terroir, organic viticulture, and minimal intervention in the cellar are tenets of the brand. SLS presents a compelling cross-section of the Central Coast, originally focusing on Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay, Monterey Pinot Noir, and Santa Cruz Mountains cool-climate Syrah. After working under Tony Rynders in the Willamette Valley and Doug Margerum in Santa Barbara, Sam was most recently mentored by François Villard in the Northern Rhône. The brand presents a neoclassical style where light handling, wild fermentations, and stem inclusion in the reds create wines of place and purity, aroma and structure. SLS produces around 700 cases annually. Sam is also head winemaker at Morgan Winery in Santa Lucia Highlands.

2020 Vintage - The 2020 vintage commenced with bud break in mid to late March, after a winter of normal temperatures and rainfall around 30% below average. Most of this rainfall was concentrated in December (promoting healthy root growth), as well as March and April (promoting vigorous early shoot growth). Temperatures through the mid season were average to above average, leading to heat waves in August, September, and October. The biggest challenge was circumventing the looming threat of wildfires, sparked by the first heatwave and lightning showers mid August. While the SLS vintage was quite small due to these issues, the resulting wines are similar in character to those of 2017- the whites lean and pure with medium acid, the reds ripe yet classy

2021 Vintage - The growing season commenced with bud break in mid-March after a cold, dry winter. Very windy conditions during flowering led to below-average fruit set. Classically cool Central Coast temperatures continued throughout the growing season, punctuated by brief heat waves that moved ripening along. The SLS harvest began in mid-September with sparkling base from Pelio and concluded abruptly in late October with Tondré syrah, preceding a rain event that delivered a couple inches to select sites. The ‘21 wines are characterized by low alcohol, bright acidity, and structure making for cellar-worthy wine. This is certainly one of the best SLS vintages yet.

Our Selections

Samuel Louis Smith Chardonnay ‘Les Granitiers’ Gabilan Mountains 2020

Granitier is the French term for a granite quarry worker, therefore an apt term for this wine hailing from the granitic Coastview Vineyard. Situated on a ridgetop 2,300 feet up the Gabilan Mountains, it's one of the most dramatically beautiful sites on the Central Coast. Here, thin soils of decomposed granite with veins of limestone are planted to a smattering of cool-climate Burgundian, Rhône, and Bordelais varietals. Organically farmed, it produces wines with crunchy freshness and elegant structure. Pale gold and light-medium bodied.

Native primary fermentation in stainless steel and secondary malolactic fermentation in barrel followed by nine months élévage in 25% second-fill and 75% neutral French oak barrels. Aromas of lemon meringue, oyster shell, subtle toast, and honey are framed by an elegantly chalky texture and refreshing acidity.

Four barrels • 95 cases produced. 13.2% alcohol | 3.23 pH | 7.1 TA 

Samuel Louis Smith Pinot Noir Montañita de Oro Monterey County 2021 

Montañita de Oro highlights the best of Monterey County’s mountain pinot sites. At an average elevation of 1400 ft, high-toned aromatics are framed by elegant mountain structure. The following vineyards were used:

Cortada Alta Vineyard (43%) was planted in 2014 by the late John Peterson, and at 1100-1600 ft is the highest elevation site in the Santa Lucia Highlands. On many days this stunning site is right at the fog line, and its well-drained mountain soils are composed of granitic sandy loam with some calcareous content. Organically farmed.

Pelio Vineyard (36%) is located just west of Laureles Grade in Carmel Valley, in what will soon be the Carmel Coast AVA. At 1,000 ft and six miles from Monterey Bay, this site is truly on the edge of viticulture. Clay loam is littered with diatomaceous shale, evidence that this area was under the sea until about 12 million years ago. Organically farmed.

Rodnick Vineyard (21%) was first planted in ‘86, in the Chalone appellation of the Gabilan Mountains at 1600-1900 ft. Decomposed granite and limestone soils in this high desert climate create a compelling terroir for growing earthy, structure-driven wines. Organically farmed.

45% whole cluster fermentation. Native primary and secondary malolactic fermentations and 10 months élévage in 28% new, 8% second-fill, and 64% neutral French oak barrels. Bottled unfined & lightly filtered.

Deep red. Wild strawberries, damp earth, bay laurel, sweet spices, and bergamot tea on the nose are followed by red fruits and savory spices on the palate. A medium body is framed by elegant tannins and a long finish.

Fourteen barrels • 336 cases produced. 12.7% Alcohol | 3.66 pH | 6.2 TA

Samuel Louis Smith Gamay Escolle Vineyard Sta. Lucia Highlands 2021

Escolle is located in the northern section of the Santa Lucia Highlands, an 18 mile-long northeast facing bench in the windswept Salinas Valley. The mountainside appellation divides the Santa Lucia mountain range to the west from the Salinas Valley floor to the east. Incredibly cool climate thanks to nearby Monterey Bay, the pairing of granitic loam and new graftings of Gamay Noir at Escolle is a Santa Lucia Highlands renaissance.

Dark red/purple. Brambleberries, wild herbs, rose hips, and effusive florality on the nose are followed by red fruits and savory spices on the palate. Light in body with bright acidity and weightless tannins.

Four barrels • 94 cases produced. 12.3% Alcohol | 3.50 pH | 6.8 TA

7 days carbonic + 7 days traditional whole cluster Native primary and secondary fermentations. Eight months élévage in 100% neutral French oak barrels. Bottled unfined & unfiltered.

Samuel Louis Smith Chardonnay Spear Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills 2021

Spear is a young, yet very exciting site in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills. Planted in 2014 and farmed organically by Ofer Shepher, its northern border and steep north-facing slopes hug Highway 246. Varied elevation reaches 900 feet and soils are comprised of marine sedimentary clay and sand. Our chard block is primarily sedimentary clay.

Native fermentations in barrel; 40% malolactic fermentation followed by nine months élévage in 20% new, 20% second-fill, and 60% neutral French oak barrels. Pale gold. Effusive notes of Asian pear, lime blossom, and sea spray dominate, with savory and sweet spices, vanilla bean, and toasted coconut in the background. The wine finishes with a light-medium body and fresh acidity.

10 barrels • 250 cases produced. 12.8% Alcohol | 3.24 pH | 6.8 TA

Samuel Louis Smith Pinot Noir Pelio Vineyard Monterey County 2021

Pelio is located just west of Laureles Grade in Carmel Valley, in what will soon be the Carmel Coast AVA. At 1,000 ft and six miles from Monterey Bay, this site is truly on the edge of viticulture. Clay loam is littered with diatomaceous shale, evidence that this area was under the sea until about 12 million years ago. Planted in 2003 and organically farmed.

69% whole cluster fermentation. Native primary and secondary fermentations. 10 months élévage in 34% new and 66% neutral French oak barrels. Unfined & unfiltered.

Deep red. Wild cherry, black plum, rose hips, and Christmas spice on the nose are followed by red and black fruits, cola, and sweet and savory spices on the palate. A medium body is framed by bright acidity and fine-grained tannins, adding depth and ageability.

Three barrels • 72 cases produced. 12.8% Alcohol | 3.56 pH | 6.7 TA

Samuel Louis Smith Syrah Sandstone Terrace Santa Cruz Mountains 2021

Sandstone Terrace is a blend of primarily Santa Cruz Mountains cool-climate Syrah sites with the common thread of sandstone-derived soils. In most vintages, it embodies the sexy, spicy, and floral side of the varietal.

Nelson Vineyard (44%) is located in the Summit district of the SCM. The property was planted to chardonnay, pinot noir, and syrah in ‘99, after spending 30 years as a Christmas tree farm best known for silvertip firs, a variety that thrives at higher elevations. At 1700 ft, the vines growing in sandy loam and chunky sandstone are surrounded by redwoods and firs. Organically farmed.

Gali Vineyard (42%) is located in the Corralitos district of the southern SCM. At the low elevation of 400 ft and approximately six miles from the ocean, this is one of the coldest sites in our lineup. Soils are clay loam weathered from sandstone and shale, formed on ancient submarine terraces. In conversion to organics.

Tondré Vineyard (14%) was planted in ‘97 in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands, in granitic loam and extremely cool climate thanks to nearby Monterey Bay’s contribution of persistent morning fog and windy, sunny afternoons.

80% whole cluster fermentation. Native primary and secondary fermentations. Ten months élévage in 38% second-fill and 62% neutral French oak barrels. Unfined & unfiltered.

Dark purple. Black plum, brambleberry, white pepper, and dried violets are followed by black fruits, cured and smoked meats, and savory spices on the palate. Medium bodied with elegant chalky tannins.

Eight barrels • 193 cases produced. 12.8% Alcohol | 3.68 pH | 6.9 TA