Scar of the Sea "Vino de los Ranchos"
Santa Maria Valley, California | 2021
You all know how we like to source some rare birds for our wine club members, and at a scant 396 case production, this beauty definitely marks that box.
Scar of the Sea is the brainchild of two surf-loving, wine-obsessed California friends Mikey Giugni and Mike Brughelli who set out to bottle the soul of the Central Coast. Their guiding principle? Find vineyards in close proximity to ocean breezes, rooted in maritime soils, and let those places speak for themselves. That mission took them to some of the best coastal vineyards around: Bien Nacido, Solomon Hills, Presqu’ile where the Pacific isn’t just beautiful scenery, it’s a shaping force. Though Mike has since stepped back, Mikey continues the project with the help of his wife Gina, making wines that are clean, expressive, and undeniably coastal.
The 2021 “Vino de los Ranchos” Chardonnay is a perfect representation of wines from Santa Maria Valley - bright, breezy, and sun-kissed, with just enough edge to keep things interesting. Mikey keeps things minimal in the cellar using native fermentation and neutral barrels, so what you taste in the glass is the site itself. The nose is all citrus mist, honeysuckle, and sea spray, while the palate vibrates with green apple, pineapple core, lemon zest, and a flash of salinity that keeps everything fresh and lifted.
What makes this wine sing isn’t power or opulence, it’s precision. It’s a Chardonnay that’s light on its feet but still grounded. You get texture without heaviness, fruit without fat, and a finish that feels like diving into cold water on a hot day. It’s California Chardonnay but the way Le Midi likes Chardonnay to be!
Fun fact: the name “Scar of the Sea” comes from a church Mikey spotted during a harvest stint in Tasmania. He misread the sign “Star of the Sea” and liked his version better, so he kept it. We recommend doing the same with this wine so don’t overthink it. Just pour a glass and pair it with Sole Meunière, west coast oysters, or some salty chèvre and sit back and enjoy the scenery.