PRODUCER: Kunin Wines
REGION: Santa Barbara, California, USA
WINEMAKERS: Magan Eng
As we know, California has undergone a revolution in recent years, and many other winemakers came to the same conclusion as Seth Kunin - that their State is not merely capable of producing fruit bombs, but also subtle, elegant, complex and age-worthy wines. He helped to start the revolution and he continued to lead it until he very sadly passed away at far too young an age in October 2017, leaving his wife and business partner Magan to take up the reins and continue his legacy
WINERY HISTORY
Seth Kunin first arrived on the sunny shores of Santa Barbara to work in the fine dining scene. Quickly falling in love with the wines of the Central Coast, the New York-native left his day job to work in cellars across the region. A Rhône aficionado, Seth eventually decided to set out on his own in 1998, making elegant Rhône-based wines in an extremely cool climate region dominated by Burgundian varieties. People were – at first – quite sceptical about the potential for Syrah from this little corner of California’s coast. This doubt was only further compounded by the dominant style of Syrah at the time – juicy, blockbuster Shiraz imported from Australia. Seth, however, had an alternate vision. Leveraging his connections in the restaurant scene, he created elegant, sophisticated wines meant to complement their pairings.
Since his passing, his partner - Magan Eng - has helmed Kunin, continuing Seth’s legacy while pushing the boundaries of what Santa Barbara can offer. A remarkable force in her own right, Magan and her winemaking team have wowed reviewers, greatly enhancing the reputation of Rhône varieties produced in the States.
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING
Kunin sources grapes from select vineyards in Santa Barbara County, focusing on Rhône and Loire Valley varietals such as Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Roussanne, and Chenin Blanc. The choice of these varietals aligns with the region's cool-climate conditions, which are ideal for producing wines with balanced acidity and complex flavors. The vineyards are meticulously managed to ensure low yields, promoting concentration and quality in the grapes.
In the cellar, Kunin Wines adheres to a philosophy of minimal intervention. Fermentations are often carried out using native yeasts present on the grape skins, allowing the wines to develop a natural complexity. The grapes are crushed and destemmed, with the juice and skins left together for 21 days to enhance flavor and structure. The wine undergoes fermentation with wild yeasts and is aged for nine months in neutral oak barrels, resulting in a wine that showcases fresh white peach flavors and a pure expression of the varietal.
Kunin's red wines, such as their Pape Star Rouge—a blend inspired by Châteauneuf-du-Pape—are crafted to reflect both the varietal characteristics and the influence of the Santa Barbara terroir. The winemaking process emphasizes balance and elegance, aiming to produce wines that are both expressive and food-friendly.
IN THE PRESS
"The wines are terrific, I might even say better than ever. But beyond that, Eng has done a remarkable job in staying the course after the passing of her husband, Seth Kunin, in 2017. Today’s wines pay homage to the past, but are also, respectfully contemporary. That’s not an easy balance to achieve. As always, the Kunin wines stand out for their purity of expression and site character." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
