TN: Swing Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco (Ian Brand)

Here is a wine that few here will have had a chance to taste. It is a “house wine” at a restaurant that my wife and I frequent a lot (Valley Kitchen in Carmel, CA), made by Ian Brand.

13% abv, pale straw, very aromatic, featuring lively and bright citrus and minerals. Very long aftertaste, subtile but penetrating and delicious. What makes this wine special is the quality that Ian built into this humble “house wine.” Extremely well done!

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Thanks for the unique tasting note!!!

Is this place the same as the Carmel Village Ranch?


From the Carmel Village Ranch website:

"Drink Local (Really local)

“Those vineyards you’ve been seeing? Those are ours—they’re brimming with goodness, and every drop of that goodness goes into our Swing Pinot Noir Reserve. Just imagine: A wine and cheese tasting where everything is sourced from Carmel Valley Ranch? That’s nuts! (Even though we don’t grow those.) Produced by Ian Brand, the 2018 Central Coast Winemaker of the Year, Swing also offers Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, and Pinot Noir to go along with our Reserve. All are available at The Ranch. Cheers!

Drew, yes - that is the one. Carmel Valley Ranch also has its own estate Pinot and Chardonnay vineyards that Ian manages and crafts the wines. We in the area are fortunate to have our own local wine celeb!