Nella Kitchen and Bar

Join us for a three-course dinner featuring the wines of Drake Whitcraft. Drake was born into winemaking. His father Chris, who was mentored by Burt Williams, Dick Graff, Ken Burnap, and Joe Heitz, founded the winery in 1985 with his wife Kathleen and quickly became a recognized pioneering winemaker in Santa Barbara by 1991. Chris helped put that region on the map, souring from the famed Bien Nacido from 1985-2008, while also sourcing and making age worthy wines from such reputable vineyards such as Hirsch and Olivet Lane from Sonoma. Drake grew up around his father and Burt Williams, absorbing their conversations and ideas about wine making. The message was clear, make wines the natural way. No pumps, no filters, no fining, no enzymes, no water, no acid, no color adjuncts. Unadulterated wines. Drake has continued this and now makes wines that garner attention from some of the most respected Somm’s and collectors in the wine world. His wines are pure, vibrant, and totally terroir driven, no new oak, and the same technique across the board within each varietal. All wines are truly limited and most are allocated. 2000 cases annually. Drake sources from some of the best sites in SBC and beyond including but not limited to Sanford & Benedict, Drew (Mendocino), Radian, Chene (Ddna Valley), Escolle (SLH), Pence, Stolpman, and Fiddlestix to name a few. The wines we'll be tasting: 2021 Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills 'La Rinconada Vineyard' 2023 Gamay, Santa Rita Hills 'Pence Ranch' 2022 Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills 'Sanford & Benedict' 2023 Syrah, San Luis Obispo Coast 'My Friend Raj's Vineyard' For any questions or dietary restrictions, please email Adam - wine@nellakitchen.com