Alban Vineyards

When John Alban set out to make California wines, there were about six varietals produced throughout the state, and really only two were ever consumed with any regularity, Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon. If there is one single person who helped shape California as a diverse, multi-faceted growing region, and specifically as a primary region for Rhône varietals, it is John Alban. His project is historic. Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache, and Syrah, were all relatively unknown wines to most wine drinkers stateside until John began planting. When there were fewer than 50 acres of Viognier in the world, John propagated 32, eventually supplying most of the clippings that would go on to make most California Viogniers. Syrah, now produced by seemingly every winemaker, jumped from a few hundred acres in California to well over 17,000 today. Now, if you were Springboard Wine Company (circa 2014, I think?) how excited would you be to have the opportunity to represent a literal hero in the world of wine? He saved us all from drowning in a sea of sameness. Yay John Alban! Thank you for the proverbial life boat.

NOTE: Springboard does not represent Alban in the central coast.