Greg Brewer Heads for the Hills

At a recent wine tasting in Miami Beach, I had the chance to chat with winemaker Greg Brewer. His Brewer-Clifton winery is recognized as one of the finest producers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Santa Barbara district.

• Farms over 80 acres in the Sta. Rita appellation
• Wines consistently earn 90+ points from critics
• 2012 Pinot Noir ranked #8 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list of 2014

A Brief History

• Founded in 1996 with Steve Clifton on just $10,000
• Currently partners with Master Sommelier Ken Fredrickson
• Produces four single-vineyard Chardonnays and six Pinot Noirs
• Annual production: ~10,000 cases

From Academia to Winemaking

Originally a French instructor at the University of Santa Barbara, Brewer began working as an assistant in a winery during the 1990s and became “seduced by the incredible winegrowing area.”

“What really attracted me was the fact that every wine I produce will be different. There’s a certain humility in never being able to reproduce one’s work.”

Winemaking Philosophy

• Works with Pinot Noir, the so-called “heartbreak grape”
• Ferments whole clusters with no destemming (stems balance sweetness)
• Uses oak barrels up to 15 years old
• Aims for pure flavors with minimal winemaker interference

“I want to remove the winemaker’s signature. At our winery it’s not about what we do to the wine… it’s about what we don’t do.”

Brewer emphasizes respecting the vineyard:

“We handle the fruit from each vineyard identically from harvest to bottling. This allows the true essence of the site to best be expressed.”

Transition to Jackson Family Wines

Recently, Brewer sold his winery to Jackson Family Wines, a global company with dozens of wineries worldwide.

Despite the sale, Brewer remains full-time winemaker and brand ambassador at Brewer-Clifton. With his continued leadership, the winery is expected to maintain its reputation for quality and purity.

Wine Whisperer’s Tip: If you see Brewer-Clifton wines on the shelf, buy them.

New Discoveries

• Chasing Venus Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2016 ($16)
  A quintessential New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with a characteristic nose of grapefruit, pineapple, and citrus. Light peach flavors on the palate. Great with seafood. WS 89–90
• BR Cohn Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard ($24)
  For fans of buttery, oaky styles. Deep yellow in the glass, with aromas of butter, melon, crème brûlée, and caramel. Nicely balanced. WW 86
• Viansa Chardonnay Carneros 2013 ($45)
  A leaner, more minerally Chardonnay. Pale yellow, with flavors of tart apple, pear, and white peach. WW 86