Samuel Louis Smith: The Central Coast Winemaker to Watch

When K&L Domestic Buyer Ryan Woodhouse stops a tasting and says "keep an eye on this winemaker," you listen. That was six years ago, and Samuel Louis Smith has been one of our favorite producers ever since. He makes about 1,300 cases a year across Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay, and cool-climate Syrah from some of the most compelling sites on the Central Coast — all organically farmed, all minimal intervention, all genuinely outstanding. We've visited him in the vineyards, poured his wines at our tent events, and we're re-running our 2019 interview now that new vintages are in stock.

On the TrailMay 4, 2026K&L Wine MerchantsSamuel Louis Smith, Central Coast, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Syrah, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey, Monterey Wine, Micro-Négociant, Organic Wine, Ryan Woodhouse, Winemaker Interview, California Wine

WeatherEye Vineyard: The Most Ambitious Vineyard Project in Washington State

WeatherEye Vineyard, on the ridgeline of Red Mountain in Washington, is without doubt one of the most exciting vineyards anywhere in the United States: a site so radical, its implementation has been 15 years in the making! The incredibly rocky, volcanic soils, constant wind, elevation, and lengthy growing season give the wines immense concentration and structure. Even though the vines are relatively young, the intensity of the wines here is already formidable.

Washington StateRyan WoodhouseSeptember 29, 2023K&L Wine MerchantsWeatherEye Vineyard, Red Mountain, Washington State Wine, Ryan Woodhouse, Rhône Varietals, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Hillfighter, Todd Alexander, Washington Syrah, Domestic Wine, New Arrivals, Small Production, Cult WIne, Pacific Northwest WIne

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