The Hills Are Alive:
Maritime influences and limestone-rich soils make (the Santa Rita Hills) prime territory for Chardonnay and, of course… Pinot Noir. Look for offerings from top producers such as… Foley Estates.
Heather John
Bon Appetit
April 2005
Rancho Santa Rosa
Foley Estates Vineyard and Winery is the fruition of financier Bill
Foley's dream to produce world class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir near
his Santa Barbara home. In 1998, Bill set out to find the proper
location for his vineyard and winery. Using topographical maps,
soil research and climatic data, he scoured the region to find the
appropriate site for the cultivation of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. After
much research, Bill discovered the perfect property - Rancho Santa
Rosa. A historic parcel located in the Santa Rita Hills region
of the Santa Ynez Valley, Rancho Santa Rosa had formerly been a thoroughbred
horse ranch. The property had the steep, south facing hillsides and
the limestone soils that are the “holy grail” to Pinot
Noir and Chardonnay vintners. Bill quickly set to establishing
230 acres of vineyard on the 460-acre property. The vineyard
was subdivided into 59 micro-blocks to be farmed, harvested and vinified
separately. Pinot Noir was situated in the highest reaches of
the ranch, with elevations to one thousand feet. The Chardonnay
was established on the rolling hills surrounding the winery.
There were also eight acres of Syrah planted on the western corridor.
A variety of soil types matched to appropriate rootstocks, and a broad
array of clonal selections gave the winemaking team the opportunity
to make wines of great diversity and character.
The handsome stables at the bottom of the property were laboriously converted into the existing winery. Tremendous detail went into planning a modern winery, while honoring age old winemaking tradition, and maintaining the rural beauty of the Ranch. The 2002 vintage marked the inaugural release of Foley Estates Rancho Santa Rosa.
The handsome stables at the bottom of the property were laboriously converted into the existing winery. Tremendous detail went into planning a modern winery, while honoring age old winemaking tradition, and maintaining the rural beauty of the Ranch. The 2002 vintage marked the inaugural release of Foley Estates Rancho Santa Rosa. 
