2022 Estate Red

Name: 2022 Estate Red
Brand: Ojai Mountain
Price: 60.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Pomegranate|White Pepper|Taut

A GSM blend with Tempranillo — our most taut and savory Estate Red to date. Boysenberry, pomegranate, white pepper, and crushed stone on a broad, structured palate. Vinous 94 Points. Structured and drinking well now, with years ahead.

Tasting Notes Pdf.

About This Release

VARIETALS

45% Grenache, 44% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah, 6% Tempranillo

CHEMISTRY

Alcohol: 14.1% | pH: 3.48 | TA: 6.0 | Malic Acid: <0.05

WINE CHARACTERISTICS

Body

Medium-Full

Sweetness

Dry

Acidity

Bright Acidity

Tannin

Firm Tannins

Fruitiness

Forward Fruit

WINEMAKER'S NOTE

The 2022 Estate Red steps fully into its Rhône identity — more Mourvèdre, a first addition of Tempranillo, and a harmonious blend of spice, depth, and mountain freshness. A mix of dark and red fruit and lilac on the nose; boysenberry, pomegranate, blood orange, white pepper, and crushed stone on the palate. Billy Norris at Vinous awarded 94 Points, calling it “taut and structured, a baby by all measures, but undoubtedly a bellwether of very exciting things to come.” Decanter found it “fresh and approachable” with “well-integrated tannins.” Structured and drinking well now, with years ahead. Drink now–2040.

94 points Vinous

93 points Wine Enthusiast

91 points Decanter

Vinous

Eschewing Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in favor of more Mourvèdre and a dollop of Tempranillo from embryonic vines, the 2022 Red Blend is a much richer, spicier wine off this fledgling site. It's taut and structured, a baby by all measures, but undoubtedly a bellwether of very exciting things to come. Pomegranate, blood orange, lavender, crushed rocks and iodine lead to a ferrous, floral finish. On the lighter side of medium in body, the structure here is certainly not shy. I cannot wait to taste this in future vintages. ”

Billy Norris

Wine Enthusiast

There's a lovely combination of berry sorbet, lilac and peppercorn on the nose of this bottling from a mountaintop vineyard high above Ojai. The palate is zesty with boysenberry candy and strawberry flavors that are cut by a crushed stone earthiness.”

Matt Kettmann

Decanter

This predominantly Grenache and Mourvèdre blend, with a touch of Tempranillo and Syrah, is a fresh and approachable daily drinker. The nose offers dark fruits and warm baking spices, while the palate is easy-drinking and balanced with well-integrated tannins—a versatile choice for any occasion. ”

Brianne Cohen

Production

268 cases 100% estate

Vinification

5-day cold soak, open-top fermentation

Aging Process

Aged for 18 months in 100% neutral French oak barriques.

Key Dates

Harvested: August 15 and August 27, 2022 Bottled: April 26, 2024 Released: February 2025

Winemaker

Erich Bradley

Winemaking Philosophy

We farm biodynamically at high elevation and intervene minimally in the cellar. The goal isn't to make wine—it's to let the vineyard speak for itself.

Learn About Winemaking Approach

Key Principles

Vineyard health and timing over cellar correction
Native fermentation with close monitoring
Minimal additives (sulfur only, used sparingly)
Vintage variation as a feature, not a flaw
Wines built for the table with food compatibility

Winemaking Process

Our process emphasizes native yeast fermentation, minimal additives, and selective use of neutral French oak. We monitor closely but intervene sparingly, allowing vintage character and site expression to shine through. The result is transparent, food-friendly wines with natural acidity and layered complexity.

PAIRING

Herb-roasted lamb shoulder; grilled duck breast with citrus and spice; mushroom risotto with thyme; aged Manchego with crusty bread.

The 2022's pomegranate-driven fruit and spice character — darker, more structured than the 2021 — suits bold preparations with Mediterranean herbs. Taut tannins and bright acidity keep rich lamb or duck from becoming heavy.

The origin of the vintage

Unique Ojai Mountain Terroir

Ojai Mountain rises at 3,000 feet, just 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The valley's rare east-west orientation opens a direct corridor for marine air, allowing coastal winds to moderate heat and slow ripening. Ancient Monterey shale—fractured rock from a prehistoric seabed—drains quickly and forces shallow rooting, naturally limiting vigor and berry size. Farmed organically, the site produces wines of tension and clarity rather than broad ripeness. Elevation, wind, and ocean influence create a cool-climate profile uncommon this far south in California, yielding concentrated flavors with firm structure and lift.

Learn About Our Terroir

The 2022 vintage

2022 was a hot, fast-moving year on the ridge. Early heat pushed the Syrah blocks toward concentration, with small berries and naturally low yields. Steady mountain winds kept the fruit firm and healthy despite higher temperatures. Vines struggled in the arid conditions, especially following two severe drought years. Harvest took place just ahead of late-August heat spikes. The resulting wines are round and vivid, with dense fruit, high energy, and a broad, resonant structure.

Read the Full Vintage Story