Rusack Vineyards Wine Tasting
Hosted by John and Helen Falcone, winemakers.
When: Friday, Dec. 11, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: East Beach Wine, 1114 State St. #24, Santa Barbara
Cost: $12
Age limit: 21+
Categories: Meetings
Description: Hosted by John & Helen Falcone, winemakers
Rusack was established in 1995 by Geoff Rusack and Alison Wrigley Rusack with a commitment to creating world-class wines. In the years since then, this dedication to quality has meant some dramatic changes at the winery.
The most visible change is in the vineyard. Following the 2001 harvest, many of the original vines were pulled out and replanted under the guidance of viticuluturist Hope Fidziura and winemaker John Falcone. Utilizing cutting edge technology and taking advantage of Ballard Canyon's unique terroir, varieties to be grown were carefully chosen and limited to those clones best suited to the microclimate. Syrah, Sangiovese, and Sauvignon Blanc have been planted, along with smaller lots of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot to be blended into the renowned "Anacapa."
John and Helen Falcone, the winemaker and assistant winemaker at Rusack, occupy a unique niche as one of the few husband and wife winemaking teams in California's wine industry. Born into an Italian winemaking family, John started his wine odyssey at age 19, working for his uncle at The Monterey Vineyard. Prior to joining Rusack, John worked for many years in the Napa Valley, including a position as head winemaker at Atlas Peak Vineyards. Helen Falcone also worked in the Napa wine industry holding the positions of assistant winemaker at Chimney Rock Winery and Codorniu Napa wineries. The Falcones' decision to join Rusack Vineyards was prompted in large part by their desire to "get back to hand-crafting wines" and their belief that Santa Barbara County is now one of the best places for a small-production winery to live up to its potential for producing great wines.
John and Helen Falcones' decision to join Rusackwas prompted in large part by their desire to get "back to hand crafting wines" and their belief that Santa Barbara County is now one of the best places for a small-production winery to live up to its potential for producing great wines. "With its diversity of microclimates and soil, Santa Barbara County has the potential to equal the reputation of the world's finest winemaking regions," John Falcone notes.
"Rusack is dedicated to producing world-class wines, and this is a great opportunity to make the great wines that I know this area can produce."When they acquired the property, Geoff and Alison Rusack invested in a complete upgrade of the winemaking facilities, installing the most up-to-date equipment. The owners' vision is for Rusack to offer a limited production of ultra-premium wines that will appeal to connoisseurs. According to Geoff Rusack, "With us quality must be our first priority."
Phone: 805-899-1535
Event posted Oct. 13, 2009
Last updated Oct. 13, 2009
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