Tinaquaic Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
Foxen’s estate ten-acre vineyard was planted by Dick and Bill in 1989 on the Doré family’s historic Rancho Tinaquaic. In their frugal “shoestring budget” style, the “Foxen Boys” gathered the canes for their little vineyard from already-pruned cuttings from historic Santa Maria Valley vineyards during evening hours in Dick’s old orange pickup truck. For this reason, they affectionately refer to their special cane collection method as the “Volar de Noche” or “fly by night”.

Foxen’s Tinaquaic Vineyard is the region’s only dry-farmed vineyard—which means that it receives absolutely no irrigation. Relying on only the water that Mother Nature provides, our estate vineyard must be meticulously farmed with the yields kept at extremely low levels. Because of this, and the fact that the grapes grow on the original rootstocks, Foxen is rewarded with grapes that display distinctive and intense varietal character.

The soil composition ranges from sandy to clay loam in this hillside vineyard that is perched about 500 feet above the winery and the Foxen Canyon floor. There are currently six acres of Chardonnay and a mere 1.5 acres each of Syrah and Cabernet Franc.

Bien Nacido Vineyard - Block Eight, Santa Maria Valley
“Block Eight” is Bien Nacido’s highest and steepest vineyard block, which was planted to Foxen’s specifications in 1996 with Clones 2A, Mt. Eden, 114, 115 and Pommard on vigor-reducing rootstocks. Farmed exclusively for us, this exciting new 11.5-acre, high-density vineyard currently provides Foxen with the best quality Pinot Noir to date from this already renowned vineyard on the Santa Maria Bench.

Foxen’s “Block Eight” is ideally situated on a steep south-facing slope, with the vineyard rows aligned north-to-south, providing maximum sunlight exposure to evenly ripen the fruit. The soil here is a shale and gravelly loam, which adds to the complexity and intensity of the flavors and facilitates excellent drainage.

Julia's Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
Bordering the Bien Nacido Vineyard on the Santa Maria Bench, the Julia’s Vineyard is situated in the coolest, western-most section of the Cambria Estate. Planted in the late seventies to early eighties, the Julia’s Vineyard is the oldest Pinot Noir vineyard in Santa Barbara County. The Pommard Clone in this historic vineyard greatly benefits from the cool, moderate Santa Maria Valley climate and “bench land” soil conditions. The soil is gravelly loam and exceptionally well draining—restricting vine vigor resulting in Pinot Noir fruit with concentrated and intense flavors.

We have been fortunate enough to purchase approximately four tons annually from the Julia’s Vineyard since 1996, allowing us to make a vineyard-designate bottling in addition to providing for a key portion to our popular “ Santa Maria Valley” blend Pinot Noir.

Seasmoke Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills
For years vintners have coveted the stretch of land in the western end of Santa Barbara's Santa Rita Hills AVA known to have the perfect microclimate, soils, and exposure to grow world-class Pinot Noir. Sea Smoke Vineyard, planted in 1999 by owner Bob Davids, has quickly gained a world-class reputation and almost cult-like following.

Mr. Davids sought out the best viticulturist advice in planning for his vineyard, which meant that one of his first calls went to Bill Wathen, who provided valuable counsel. In gratitude and respect for Bill’s viticultural knowledge and reputation as a winemaker, Bob Davids agreed to sell some of his prized fruit to Foxen each year. We are currently the only winery, other than Seasmoke Cellars, able to purchase Seasmoke Vineyard Pinot Noir fruit.

The shallow clay soils in this 100-acre, steeply-sloped vineyard are planted to French clones on vigor-reducing rootstocks, resulting in fewer grape clusters of extraordinarily intense flavors.

Williamson-Doré Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley
Planted in 1999 by Dick and Jenny, the Williamson Doré Vineyard is a family affair. This seven-acre vineyard is located in the eastern portion of the Santa Ynez Valley, near Happy Canyon, where they make their home. The vineyard consists of four acres of Syrah (Kaitlin’s Block, Clone 174 and Drew’s Block, Clone 877), 1.5 acres of Grenache, ½ acre of Mourvedre and just under an acre of Sangiovese (Dominique’s Block).

Dick and Jenny’s vineyard shows such extraordinary promise that Foxen presently makes only two single-vineyard Syrahs—the Tinaquaic and Williamson Doré Vineyards. The Grenache and Mourvedre from this vineyard will contribute to Foxen’s new Rhône blend, the Cuvée Jeanne Marie (named for Bill’s mom.)

Vogelzang Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley
The Vogelzang Vineyard is clearly turning heads and setting a new standard for Bordeaux varietals from Santa Barbara County. Ideally situated in Santa Barbara County’s warmest growing region—the eastern-most section of the Santa Ynez Valley—the 82-acre hillside vineyard produces world class Bordeaux varieties. This vineyard, with gravely loam soils, located at the base of the Los Padres National Forest, is the vision of Mary Beth Vogelzang, who planted the vineyard in 1997.

Vineyard Manager, Jeff Newton of Coastal Vineyard Care, utilizes the latest viticultural techniques including high-density plantings and trellising, to Bill’s precise specifications.