Greg Brewer, co-founder and winemaker of Brewer-Clifton, has been honored as Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 2020 Wine Star Awards.
Brewer is the first Santa Barbara County winemaker to win since the magazine started the Wine Star Awards 21 years ago.
The awards are one of the most prestigious in the global wine industry and recognize individuals and companies that make outstanding contributions to the world of wine and viticulture. The awards include 15 categories, among them Wine Region of the Year, Wine Educator of the Year, Viticulturist of the Year and Social Visionary of the Year.
Brewer, one of the most respected winemakers in California, is gracious and thoughtful in person. For 30 years, he has crafted wines from grapes grown in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, and his pinot noir and chardonnay wines are some of the state’s most highly acclaimed.
Brewer’s passion for the Sta. Rita Hills has helped boost its prestige and world recognition.
“The honor that I feel to receive the prestigious Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award for Winemaker of the Year is only rivaled by that which I have felt to represent the Sta. Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County for the entirety of my 30-year career,” he said. “It has been the opportunity of a lifetime to steadfastly espouse myself to this marine-driven landscape, which has transcended a vocation to ultimately become my identity.
“While this tremendous acknowledgment is associated with my name, it is ultimately a recognition of this unique appellation and colleagues within that I will loyally serve, nurture and promote for the rest of my life. Fueled by this monumental accolade, we will collectively push the limits even further to best demonstrate our voice of place around the world.”
Brewer’s mindful approach to winemaking is centered on his strong belief in removal of self in every aspect of the process — the wines are created and brought up in the most pure, noninvasive environment. His focus results in wines that are honest and driven, expressive of the terroir and teams that collectively steward each vintage.
Brewer started his career as a French instructor at UCSB before diving into wine production at the Santa Barbara Winery in 1991. In 1996, he and original partner Steve Clifton created their eponymous label, Brewer-Clifton. Starting in 1997, Brewer also worked as a winemaker at Melville Winery, also in the Sta. Rita Hills, remaining there through the end of 2015. During that time, he established the chardonnay-based label diatom and, in 2016, Ex Post Facto, dedicated to cool-climate syrah.
“We are proud to recognize Greg Brewer as our 2020 Winemaker of the Year recipient,” said Adam Strum, founder and chairman of Wine Enthusiast Companies and publisher of Wine Enthusiast Magazine. “Greg is one of the most talented and dynamic winemakers in California today with his distinctive style of coastal-influenced pinot noirs and chardonnays that rank among some of our magazine’s most highly rated bottlings. More importantly, he’s been a champion for Santa Barbara wines and helped build the prestige and excitement for the Sta. Rita Hills winegrowing region.”
In 2017, Jackson Family Wines purchased Brewer-Clifton, diatom and Ex Post Facto, keeping Brewer on as winemaker.
Jackson Family Wines was founded in 1982 by the late Jess Jackson, a wine pioneer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, and the company now is led by his widow, Chairman Barbara Banke, and the Jackson family. The family portfolio includes more than 40 wineries in California, Oregon, France, Italy, Chile, South Africa and Australia.
805 Beer Reveals Winner of Custom Truck
Coming out on top of more than 300,000 entries, the winner of 805 Beer’s custom Chevy truck giveaway happens to live in Santa Barbara — the backyard of 805 Beer.
On delivery day, Firestone Walker Brewing Co. co-founder David Walker was joined by Ventura-based custom car builder Matt Noble, who spent a full year rebuilding the 1949 Chevy into an 805-branded, road-worthy hotrod.
The winner, Jason Gavilanes, is a young custom car enthusiast whose family took the day off to share in the moment, which was documented by the 805 team.
Walker and his brother-in-law, Adam Firestone, founded Firestone Walker in 1996.
“I can’t think of a better home for this Matt Noble truck,” Walker said. “It makes us smile knowing the lucky winner is a gearhead from the 805 as well as a loyal 805 drinker. It’s going to be loved.”
Noble began the project last year as a complete frame-off restoration, followed by a custom buildout from the engine to the interior. The truck was finished with obsessive detailing and 805 aesthetic flair.
Miller Family Wine Co.’s Smashberry Honors Everyday Heroes
Miller Family Wine Co. has partnered with Shop for Heroes to release its limited edition “Smashberry Heroes” wine, created to commemorate today’s generation of heroes, from military service members and wounded warriors to health care workers, teachers and other essential workers making a difference in people’s lives.
Smashberry Heroes is a red blend of cabernet sauvignon, syrah and merlot from Paso Robles.
Smashberry Heroes is available for purchase in two-, three- and six-pack bundles starting at $80. The campaign helps raise money and awareness for CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization founded by industry veterans to provide financial support to service industry families struggling because of a medical crisis, injury or natural disaster.
“We are thrilled to release this limited edition bottling of Smashberry, which was created to not only honor all the heroic people making a real difference, but to also support those in our service industry who may be facing difficulties providing for their children during these challenging times,” said Nicholas Miller, vice president of sales and marketing.
Miller Family Wine Co. is a division of The Thornhill Companies — the industry-leading umbrella brand of one of California’s premier winegrowing families, the Miller family, that has been farming California’s Central Coast for five generations.
— Laurie Jervis tweets at @lauriejervis and can be reached via winecountrywriter@gmail.com. The opinions expressed are her own.