This marine environment is ultimately trapped by the Sierra Mountain Range, several miles to the east, which encircles our vineyard and the Santa Maria valley by nearly 220 degrees. Vine rows are planted perpendicular to the ocean which allows the prevailing winds from the Pacific Ocean to travel unimpeded through our vineyard. This maritime influence is undoubtedly positive for our 56 acres of Chardonnay and 105 acres of Pinot Noir.
In addition to our maritime climate, the sandy loam soils which predominate in our vineyard promote excellent drainage and naturally limits the productivity of each vine. Rainfall averages less that twelve inches a year and typical weather during the growing season reflects a daytime and nighttime temperature difference of 30-40 degrees. This dry weather and dramatic temperature variations are ideal conditions for growing high quality grapes.
A significant key to the success of these vineyards has been the planting of a wide variety of rootstocks and clones. The Pinot Noir planted in Diereberg Vineyard is broken up into twenty five different blocks that feature seven different clones and six different rootstocks. Some of the classic California clones like Swan, Mount Eden and Calera are complimented by popular Dijon clones like 114, 115 and 777. Each of these clones and rootstocks produce unique flavors that allow us to create a complex wine.
Star Lane Vineyard: The Star Lane Vineyard is located in the San Raphael mountains in the very eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley on the southern slope of Ranger Peak, thirty minutes northeast of the town of Santa Barbara. The vineyards are planted in a variety of sheltered canyons on steep hillsides that range from 900 to 1500 feet. Planting began in 1996 and the vineyard now consists of 110 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 45 acres of Merlot, 20 acres of Cabernet Franc, 3 acres of Petite Verdot, 1 acre of Malbec, 40 acres of Syrah and 25 acres of Sauvignon Blanc. These types of varietals are relatively unique to Santa Barbara County where the cooler growing conditions encourage the planting of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. However, in this sheltered, eastern corner of the Santa Ynez valley daytime temperatures are dramatically warmer here than most parts of Santa Barbara County. The vineyards are also further away from the cool ocean breezes that cool most of this area. As a result, grapes that would struggle to ripen in other parts of Santa Barbara County, flourish here.
These varietals are further enhanced by the variety of well drained, shallow soils that predominate in these canyons. Soils vary from alluvial gravel, sand and clay on the canyon floor to gravelly, shale, sandstone and pebbly sand on the hillsides. As in the Dierberg Vineyard, a variety of clones and rootstocks have been planted. There are 4 different blocks of Sauvignon Blanc, ten of Syrah, seventeen of Cabernet Franc, eleven of Merlot and thirty four of Cabernet Sauvignon.
The planting of classic Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot will ultimately enable us to create a dramatic, ageable Bordeaux styled red wine that reflects this unique growing region. The history of this area is a testament to its unique character. Originally part of a Spanish land grant that was called Canada de los Pinos Rancho, the area is now referred to as Happy Canyon. Star Lane Ranch has served as a cattle ranch, a breeding ranch for famous racehorses and has even served as a home for famous TV horses like Roy Roger’s horse, Trigger. Clarence Kelly Johnson, who designed the famous U2 spy plane, among other spy planes was the previous owner before the Dierberg’s acquired the property in 1996.
Jim and Mary Dierberg
Jim Dierberg was raised in Creve Coeur, a small town in eastern Missouri that was destined to become a suburb of an ever growing St.Louis. Jim graduated from Washington U law school and went to work at the local Creve Cour Farmers Bank. Through Jim’s efforts, this small local bank has grown into First Bank, which now has over 209 locations in Missouri, Texas, Illinois, California and Florida. Jim’s wine background is also local. Jim and Mary restored an old winery building in Hermann, Missouri thirty years ago and founded Hermannof winery. Hermannof has become one of the best know wineries in the Augusta, Missouri appellation and produces a variety of American and French hybrid varietal still and sparkling wines. Jim and Mary’s love of vinifera varietals ultimately led them to California. The search for a world class vineyard site took almost ten years and to all corners of the state. The breathtaking visual aspects of Star Lane Ranch and the potential for growing Bordeaux varietals convinced Jim and Mary that this eastern end of Santa Ynez Valley was the right place to grow premium grapes. They have since acquired two additional properties, one in Santa Maria Valley Appellation called the Dierberg Vineyard and one in the Santa Rita Appellation called Drum Canyon Vineyard. All three properties are within the larger Santa Barbara County appellation and represent truly individual growing areas. Jim traces his interest in wine back to his mother’s family who were vignerons in France. Together, he and Mary have come to appreciate the dramatic potential of Santa Barbara County by identifying three of it’s most prominent growing regions and developing world class vineyards in each. Jim and Mary have three children, Ellen, Michael and James and two grandchildren. 
