Levo, Tearing At The Seams, Santa Barbara, California, 2020

Overview of the Wine
The Central Coast of California is a blessed region, naturally endowed with diverse microclimates that produce wines of exceptional power and density. Levo works to showcase the richness of our terroir while still maintaining delicate varietal specificity, electric acidity, immense tension, and perhaps most importantly a sense of levity or lift in the glass. It is our belief that wine has an innate ability to elevate experience, whether that be a special moment with family, celebration or a fine meal.

2021 marks winemaker Bret Urness’ 10th vintage. He continues to craft microlots in a warehouse located in Tin City, Paso Robles, California. His aim is to keep production low so he can personally shepherd each barrel along and maintain complete quality control. Levo does not have an annual case production, as we bottle only the best barrels in the cellar. Whatever doesn’t make the cut is not included in our final blends.

Levo is honored to be working with many talented Central Coast farmers, who maintain some of the very most sought-after plots of dirt in California. This includes Ruben Solorzano of Stolpman, Kimsey, Harrison Clarke and Rancho Boa Vista in Ballard Canyon AVA as well as Michael Larner of Larner Vineyards. We are also honored to be working with the likes of Bill Gibbs, owner of G2, McMahon family of Fulldraw, and Carl Bowker at Caliza in Willow Creek AVA.

Grape / Blend
75% Syrah, 15% Petite Sirah & 10% Grenache

Origin
Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Our newest wine, “Tearing at the Seams” is an homage to the spirit and toils it takes to make fine wine. It is the product of thousands of tiny decisions and forks in the road, where we chose the tough path, the one that hurt a little more, that made the end product 0.01% more pleasurable. Inside this bottle remains our only souvenir for the long roads traveled, the eternal nights, and knuckle-busting work we’ve put into our craft. This wine is Levo’s ambassador, showcasing the vast landscape and varietals that thrive on California’s Central Coast. 

Tearing at the Seams, or as we lovingly call it “TATS” is a departure from Levo’s traditional red wines that are either Vineyard or Varietal designated. Typically we choose to highlight a vineyard (SPOT) or a specific varietal in a blend (Syrah, Grenache, or Petite Sirah based). TATS is a collection of our richest and most approachable lots in the cellar with absolutely no rules or designations attached to its creation. We are merely chasing yumminess at any cost.

Aged in 25% new French Oak, the explosive cornucopia of fruit is the main act, with a plush mid-palate, and extra soft finish. This wine is designed for drinking immediately but will age nicely for 2-4 years. A couple to rock, a couple to stock, is always a good mantra.

Product size: 750ml