Firestone Vineyard has been around for nearly four decades. Established by Leonard Firestone and his son, Brooks Firestone, in 1972, it was the first estate winery in Santa Ynez Valley, Calif., and remains one of the largest wineries in Santa Barbara County, producing 80,000 cases a year on the estate’s 400-acre vineyard.
While Firestone has legendary roots – the founders are the son and grandson of Harvey Firestone, creator of Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. – we are especially excited by the winery’s latest incarnation as it takes shape through the work of winemaker Paul Warson, who joined the estate in late 2009. Warson’s straightforward approach to his craft and wine culture itself is quite refreshing.
Warson visited St. Louis this spring, and as we tasted our way through Firestone’s Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewürztraminer, one of Warson’s remarks caught my attention – that he makes his wine to stand alone without food. These are wines, he said, that “make you want to have another glass.” This point was especially evident when we sipped the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley and the 2009 Chardonnay, Santa Ynez Valley.
Firestone’s Sauvignon Blanc is wonderfully lush and fruity on the nose. It’s mineral-y and crisp, yet the lingering taste of ripe pineapple, passion fruit, guava and white peach keep it soft around the edges. As for the Chardonnay, you’ll pick up hints of butter, warm toast and vanilla – Warson captured that trio on the palate with the descriptor of “graham cracker-y” – as well as pineapple and citrus flavors. Sometimes you simply want to enjoy wine sans food, and each of these bottles are well-suited for such an occasion, especially as the temperature gauge creeps upward.
Firestone’s 2009 Chardonnay, Santa Ynez Valley is sold at World Market locations in Brentwood and Chesterfield and at Arena Liquor on Hampton Avenue. The Sauvignon Blanc is currently only available by the glass and by the bottle at the new-ish downtown steakhouse, Prime 1000. However, a representative from Major Brands who distributes the Firestone portfolio expects the Firestone label to appear at more area wine and liquor stores in the coming weeks. And if you can’t find it at your favorite shop, be sure to ask.
This article appears in June 2011.