Hayman & Hill Launches Interchange: A Santa Barbara AVA White Blend

Cellar Door has announced the launch of Hayman & Hill Interchange, a new white blend from Santa Barbara County. Interchange represents the natural flow between nature’s elements and the art of winemaking. The 2006 Interchange features a blend of aromatic white varietals from Santa Barbara County’s diverse landscape, and is the latest in Hayman & Hill’s venture to create single-appellation wines produced from California’s top winegrowing regions. "Interchange symbolizes many things," said Rebecca Stead, Marketing Manager for Cellar Door wines. "It is the winemaker’s careful hand over the winemaking journey; the cooling flow of mild coastal breezes through hillside vineyards; the subtle hint of pineapple aromas in the glass from distinct parcels of land. Interchange discovers what’s new on the horizon, which in this case, is the magnificent Santa Barbara County." Missionaries began planting grapevines in Santa Barbara County over 200 years ago, and in recent years that area has become a rising star among California winegrowing regions. In a landscape that is known for beautiful coastline, rolling hills and elevated benchlands, vintners and winemakers alike have found the cool climate and distinct, varied geology ideal for grape-growing. The maritime influence on Santa Barbara County sparks an early bud break and late harvest, providing a long, consistent growing season and well-balanced fruit. Moving inland from the cool shores of the Pacific Ocean, daytime temperatures increase, creating an ideal spectrum for fruit ripening to its fullest potential. This allows for a beautifully balanced blend. "Our aim is to produce wines that are authentic expressions of their varietal type from the appellations we love best," said David Hayman, Hayman & Hill Winemaker. "They hit a sweet spot at $13.99 and deliver top quality. For Interchange, we traveled off the beaten track, and found just what we were looking for in the diverse terrain of Santa Barbara County. We set our sights on a white blend that packs a punch of intense fruit with effortless balance and finesse. A lick of oak and careful barrel fermentation delivers a distinctly rich, yet refreshing palette.” Expressive of its appellation, Interchange is a luscious, rich blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Malvasia Bianca, Semillon and Gewürztraminer grapes. This latest addition to Hayman & Hill’s appellation-specific line-up has a bright floral nose and a luscious tropical palate with bright acidity. Interchange will be distributed nationally with a suggested retail price of $13.99. The Hayman & Hill winemaking philosophy is simply to seek out the finest quality grapes where they grow best. The current Hayman & Hill line-up includes Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Russian River Chardonnay, Dry Creek Zinfandel, Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir and Monterey County Meritage. About Cellar Door: Cellar Door’s portfolio includes two Australian brands (Leasingham and Chateau Reynella), a wine from New Zealand (The Jibe), one Spanish brand (Red Guitar), a Chilean brand (duo), and Hayman & Hill wines from California. Cellar Door is an autonomous sales and marketing division of Pacific Wine Partners LLC, a Constellation Wines U.S. company and a leading producer of premium California wines and importer of wines from Australia and New Zealand. Constellation Wines U.S. is part of Constellation Wines, the world’s largest wine business, an operating division of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B) ("CBI"). Constellation Wines U.S. encompasses four of CBI's U.S. wine businesses: Icon Estates, Centerra Wine Company, Pacific Wine Partners, and North Lake Wines.