Holus Bolus Winery
Sta. Rita Hills AVA
A husband and wife team leading this prestigious Garagiste winery to success
In the world of Garagiste wineries, Holus Bolus Winery of Lompoc, California is definitely in a world of its own. Operated by the husband and wife team of Peter Hunken and Amy Christine, the smallish winery produces generally around 1000 cases annually, mostly from the Rhône varietals Syrah and Roussanne.
“We released our first wines in 2005, around 200 cases and we’ve grown slowly,” recanted Peter Hunken, 42. “Our fruit at Holus Bolus Winery all comes from single vineyards and are not blended to insure the varietal integrity of the wine. So far, this process has worked extremely well for us and our cadre of followers.” Hunken and Christine have the ultimate luxury of choosing from vineyards in the red-hot Sta. Rita Hills Appellation (or AVA), arguably the most sought after grapes located in California’s Central Coast region.
Accolades have come quickly and frequently for Holus Bolus Winery and its imposing husband/wife tandem. If current indicators are a measure of success, there will be more to come with Holus Bolus Winery’s’ artisan releases. Amy has also recently attained the coveted MW (Master of Wine) designation, a significant fact since there are only a little over three hundred fifty designated MW’s in the world located in 28 countries.
For the record, holds bolus is derived from the Latin meaning “all together without modification”. According to Peter Hunken, the term is applicable to the wines and their single vineyard origins. “We put all the grapes into one configuration rather than blend them with other varietals as many wineries prefer to do. The idea has worked well for us,” he continued.
Holus Bolus Winery also operates a tasting room in its production facility located in Lompoc’s heralded ‘Wine Ghetto’ on weekends. “We just roll open the doors,” added Hunken, “and our friends and customers get to experience a real working winery.”
A newly-planted (first fruit will be available next year) 5-acre estate vineyard will enhance the Holus Bolus operation. Located in Simi Canyon on the western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, the fruit will be a valuable addition to this prestigious Garagiste winery.
