A partnership between Matt Dees, Michael Palmer and Ron Piazza, Mail Road was founded on a singular purpose: Wines that convey a unique sense of place – our estate, Mt. Carmel Vineyard – in The Sta. Rita Hills appellation of Santa Barbara County, California.

MT. CARMEL VINEYARD
Planted in 1989, Mt. Carmel straddles the saddle of an exposed, two-tiered mountain, just north of the Santa Ynez River, at the geographic center of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The vineyard’s 22.5 acres are planted to a variety of own-rooted, organically and principally dry-farmed, heritage chardonnay and pinot noir clones. Heavily influenced by its combination of elevation (800-1200 feet), aspect (steep, south-facing), soil composition (loose limestone, clay and calcareous deposits) and buffeted by constant winds and dramatic temperature variability, Mt. Carmel produces exceptional fruit at near-intolerably low volumes. In its 36 years, Mt. Carmel has secured its reputation as a world-class site for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In that time, the vineyard has consistently produced many of The Sta. Rita Hills’ most highly coveted, single-vineyard Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and sparkling wines. Wines that are remarkable for their expression of site, marked by deep concentration, exceptional depth, textural complexity, and laser-like acidity.