Lady of the Sunshine 'Stolpman Vineyards' Sauvignon Blanc, Ballard Canyon, California

Lemon peel, white flowers, and crushed stone rise from the glass with lifted, textured energy. 2025 Lady of the Sunshine “Stolpman Vineyards” Sauvignon Blanc reflects Gina Giugni’s biodynamic farming philosophy and restrained natural winemaking approach, linking Ballard Canyon fruit with patient élevage in old oak. Its layered texture, mineral tension, and unforced freshness speak to a project grounded in thoughtful farming and transparent cellar work.

Product Details:

• Owner & Winemaker: Gina Giugni
• Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc
• Farming: Certified Demeter biodynamic
• Vineyard Source: Stolpman Vineyard, own-rooted Clone 1 Sauvignon Blanc
• Soil: Limestone-rich clay loam
• Elevation: 300 feet
• Harvest Period: Two separate picks during the first week of September
• Maceration: Overnight skin contact after foot treading
• Fermentation: Whole-bunch pressed and fermented in old French oak barrels with native yeast and bacteria
• Lees Aging: 7 months on lees
• Filtration: Bottled without fining or filtration
• Bottling: Minimal sulfur used at bottling
• ABV: 12%
• Case Production: 360 cases from 15 Barrels

Sensory Description:

The wine opens with grapefruit zest, white peach, green pear, and fresh-cut herbs carried by bright acidity and a lightly saline edge. Lees aging and fermentation in old oak lend subtle texture and breadth without obscuring the wine’s mineral focus. Citrus oil, crushed stone, and delicate floral tones persist through a taut, energetic finish that balances freshness with quiet depth.

Winemaker’s Background:

Lady of the Sunshine was founded by Gina Giugni in 2017 as an extension of her commitment to biodynamic farming, regenerative agriculture, and minimal-intervention winemaking. A second-generation biodynamic farmer, Giugni works across vineyard sites on California’s Central Coast with an emphasis on native fermentations, unfiltered bottlings, and wines shaped by site transparency rather than heavy cellar manipulation. The project expanded significantly in 2024 with the acquisition of the Bassi Vineyard on the SLO Coast, while continuing partnerships with sites such as Stolpman Vineyard in Ballard Canyon.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve chilled at 9 to 11 degrees Celsius in a medium-sized white wine glass to emphasize aromatic lift and textural detail. Pair with oysters, grilled prawns, goat cheese, herb-driven salads, roast chicken, or fresh spring vegetables.