Outward Wines Five Oaks Vineyard Sangiovese, Santa Ynez Valley, California

Sunlit edges and wildflower shadows swirl together as 2024 Outward Wines Five Oaks Vineyard Sangiovese, Santa Ynez Valley opens with a sense of quiet anticipation—its brightness carried on a breeze that feels both rustic and refined. This inaugural vintage from a tiny, oak-ringed vineyard radiates grace, charm, and an unmistakably handcrafted touch, inviting the drinker closer long before technical details come into view.

Product Details:

• Owners & Winemakers: Ryan Pace & Amanda Pace
• Vineyard: Five Oaks Vineyard
• Composition: 100% Sangiovese
• AVA: Santa Ynez Valley, California
• Vintage: 2024
• Cases Produced: 240
• ABV: 13%
• pH: 3.59
• TA: 5.6 g/L
• RS: 0.1 g/L

Sensory Description:

Graceful yet grounded, this Sangiovese opens with lifted aromas of dried roses and supple leather, giving way to tart red cherry that defines its core. Bright acidity drives the palate, layered with hints of oregano, forest floor, and the earthy dustiness that speaks directly to the varietal. Textured, playful tannins bring rhythm and energy, encouraging repeated sips, while a subtle rusticity adds depth without weight. A short decant reveals added complexity and a touch more savor.

Producer’s Background:

Outward Wines is a hands-on, exploration-driven project founded by Ryan and Amanda Pace, who approach each vineyard as a distinct landscape deserving of thoughtful, regenerative care. Five Oaks Vineyard—only one acre and farmed by the team beginning in 2024—is nurtured with no-till practices, cover crops, and compost applications, all designed to restore soil vitality and honor the small oasis formed beneath five heritage oaks. Their first-ever Sangiovese is the result of three experimental fermentations—carbonic, fully destemmed, and 30% whole cluster—each aged separately in neutral 500L puncheons before blending and bottling without fining or filtration.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 55–65°F in a large-bowled red wine glass to highlight the wine’s delicate aromatics and structuring tannins. A brief 20–30 minute decant helps the savory elements unwind, revealing deeper cherry and rose tones. Pour 5–6 oz per glass and handle gently to preserve its youthful tension. Ideal pairings include wood-fired pizza, herb-roasted chicken, tomato-forward pastas, aged pecorino, and dishes featuring wild mushrooms or Mediterranean herbs.