Discover Groundstar

Groundstar Vineyard is located on the eastern end of the acclaimed Sta. Rita Hills AVA, a cool-climate region renowned for producing world-class wines. Our site benefits from a rare confluence of cooling winds that flow off the Pacific Ocean from the west through the Transverse Valley formed by the Santa Rita Hills, Santa Rosa Hills, and La Purísima Mountains—creating an ideal environment for expressive, balanced wines.

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About the Vineyard

Soils

The Groundstar estate comprises 82 acres of grasslands, oak woodlands, and riparian corridors, indicative of our Mediterranean ecology. We are bordered to the east by a large cattle ranch, with horse properties, organic farms, and small vineyards to the north, west, and south. Our soils are predominantly tierra loam, tierra sandy loam and botella clay loam.

Plantings

Our vineyard consists of approximately 25 acres planted predominantly to Pinot Noir. Within this, we have smaller plantings of Grenache, Syrah, Viognier and Riesling. Additional Chardonnay plantings are in development.

Clones

Pinot Noir: 115, Pommard 4, 777, 667, 2a, 828

Syrah: Estrella, 383, 470

Grenache: Alban

Viognier: 1

Riesling: 49

Farming

CCOF Certified Organic

CSWA Certified Sustainable

Practicing Biodynamic

ROC - Regenerative Organic Certification in progress

Vineyard History

1999 - 82-acre property purchased by Peter and Rebecca Work
2001 - 15 acres planted (Blocks 1-4)
2004 - 10 acres planted (Blocks 5-14)
2006 - Conversion to organic and Biodynamic farming begins
2008 – Achieved SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certification
2009 - Achieve Demeter Biodynamic Certification and CCOF Organic Certification
2013 – Riesling planted on own-roots
2019 - Achieve California Certified Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW)

2024 - Joseph Brent and Chiara Shannon purchase the 82-acre property

Vineyard management continues with Jeff Newton and Coastal Vineyard Care
Biodynamic farming continues under guidance of Jordan Londborg
Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) application begins

2025 - Renamed Groundstar Vineyard & Estate™

Vineyard converted to 50% no-till
CCOF Organic Certification reinstated
CCSW Sustainable Winegrowing Certification reinstated
Critical infrastructure upgrades begin
New Chardonnay planting plans underway