Meet SAMsARA Wine Co!
SAMsARA produces limited releases of Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache and Chardonnay from Sta. Rita Hill’s most distinctive vineyards.
We’re so excited to announce our newest winery partner, SAMsARA Wine Co. This is purple cork’s first winery partner in Santa Barbara, and we went straight to the best!
The Team
SAMsARA’s team, led by winemaker Matt Brady and owners Joan and Dave Szkutak, focuses on showcasing the unique and expressive terroir of the Sta. Rita Hills and cool-climate vineyards. These are honest, balanced (delicious!) wines true to place.
Matt joined SAMsARA Wine Co and took over winemaking duties in 2016. His winemaking philosophy? Minimum interference and maximum patience—just what we look for at purple cork. Matt loves spending time in the vineyards working with SAMsARA’s esteemed farmers and vineyard managers to bring out the best of every varietal and vintage.
The Wines
SAMsARA produces limited releases of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Grenache from carefully selected micro-sites within Sta. Rita Hill’s most distinctive vineyards.
We also love how they experiment with new, fun varietals every year like Gamay, Clairette blanche, Viognier, Carbonic Syrah to learn new techniques and dig deeper into different terroir expressions within Santa Barbara County.
The focus is on cool climate vineyards and old-world winemaking techniques, like native yeasts, whole cluster fermentation, gentle maceration and extended barrel aging. The team also believes deeply in sustainability from the vineyard to the winery, which includes organics, biodynamics, hand-farming and more. Fun fact: Samsara is a Sanskrit word that signifies cyclicality—the rhythm of nature and the seasons changing reliably every year.
The Place
The Sta. Rita Hills AVA is significantly impacted by its close proximity to the ocean (10 miles) and its mountain ranges. These provide consistent morning/evening fog, and steady afternoon breezes, perfectly suited to growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Syrah, and allow for heightened varietal flavor intensity.
The area’s diverse marine sediments and micro-climates create unique, acid-driven wines that are both powerful and elegant. You’ll taste the difference!
“Partnering with purple cork is such a delight, as Kelly shares our passion for wines with a true sense of place, that are delicious to drink, and value sustainability both in the vineyards and the winery. She also shares our enthusiasm for hospitality: we want to host fun, interactive and educational events that create long-lasting connections with our guests.”
Get in touch to plan your own event with SAMsARA, hosted by purple cork.
SAMsARA’s winemaker, Matt Brady
