History
Rudi and Elise Van Enoo had no intention of establishing a vineyard when they discovered their future home surrounded by 20 uncultivated hillside acres in Santa Ynez Valley’s Ballard Canyon. Though aware of the emerging Santa Barbara wine industry, the Van Enoos were searching for a home for their small flock of ostriches. The property was steep, wild and by no means ideal for the birds, but Rudi and Elise were taken with its natural beauty and purchased it in 1992.
Hobbyist farmers and full-time podiatric surgeons, Rudi and Elise continued to maintain their podiatric medical practice in Long Beach, regularly making the grueling commute. But the couple quickly fell in love with the Santa Barbara region and before long sold their practice to make Santa Ynez Valley their permanent home. With a growing attachment to the land, the Van Enoos were inspired when Elise’s brother, James Beard Award winning wine and food broadcaster, David Michael Cane, suggested that their home had all the potential to make an excellent vineyard.
As they phased out their ostrich business, Rudi and Elise began researching viticulture. Their desire was to farm Van Enoo Vineyards organically. After interviewing a number of vineyard managers, they realized that their belief in organic farming practices or steep hillside cultivation was not widely shared by many in the wine industry. Undeterred, Rudi and Elise began actively studying organic farming, vineyard management, and enology, taking courses together at U.C. Davis and at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria.
“With our background in medicine,” says Elise, “we found ourselves drawing parallels between medicine and viticulture, between human beings and vineyards. If you want a healthy person, you start with good genes. You feed them nutritiously, avoiding chemicals and harmful substances. You give them rest and help them find their natural balance. It’s the same for a vineyard.”
When Rudi and Elise were introduced to renowned Sanford winemaker, Bruno D’Alfonso, the last piece of the puzzle fell into place. “I love Bruno’s wines, and I respect what Sanford has accomplished as an organic winery,” says Rudi. “Bruno was one of the winemakers who saw the potential of our land and especially our hillsides as an ideal site for cultivating Rhone varietals and encouraged us to plant, he told me that if I would plant the grapes, he would make the wine. We shook on it and Van Enoo Vineyards was born.”
In 1998, working with the natural topography, Rudi terraced the vineyard to flow with the contours of the steep hillside. Though expensive and challenging, the initial planting went well. Rudi was pleased with the natural drainage of the hill and the quality of the soil, which had such a great diversity, including gravel, sandy-loam, and clay ranging from deep black earth to light yellow sandy clay. These hills were also exposed to several years of ostrich cultivation, which also added naturally produced essential nutrients, further insuring a healthy vineyard. Predominantly planted with syrah, Rudi and Elise also selected viognier for the vineyard, believing that the uniquely moderate mesoclimate of Ballard Canyon and the unique terroir of the site would prove ideal for both varietals.
Rudi and Elise have approached winemaking on their own terms with a hands-on commitment to every aspect of Van Enoo Vineyards. As growers, they have chosen to cultivate only 7 of their 20 acres of land, leaving the remainder in its natural state. This intense focus on quality over quantity is reflected in extremely limited case production, ensuring the absolute attention to detail for which Van Enoo Vineyards is becoming known. To guarantee the character and quality of every bottle, Van Enoo Vineyards has incorporated the use of the Stelvin closure to prevent cork taint.
For Rudi and Elise, Van Enoo Vineyards offers yet another opportunity to work side-by-side mixing science, artistry and inspiration as part of a thriving team. From the careful nurturing of their organic and sustainable vineyard, to their belief in crafting wines of sophistication and texture from their estate grown fruit, they have embraced viticulture with a passion. Together with winemaker Bruno D’Alfonso, Rudi and Elise have quickly established Van Enoo Vineyards as a leading new producer of elegant and engaging Syrah and Viognier in Santa Barbara County.