atEase Jurassic Park Vineyard Chenin Blanc Santa Ynez Valley 2021

Derek Baljeu (owner and winemaker of atEase wines) can tell you the exact moment when he fell in love with Chenin Blanc.  While studying Enology and Viticulture at UC Davis, he didn’t have a lot of disposable income, but the extra bucks he did have always went towards wine.  Derek delighted in seeking out and tasting different, obscure varietals from all around the world and California.  So, one fateful day, he splurged and purchased three bottles of Chenin Blanc for a side-by-side comparison.  Would you believe one of those wines came from the vineyard featured here?  His first experience with Jurassic Park Vineyard was so impactful he can recall the flavors of that wine to this day, and it sparked a budding passion for this white varietal that would one day blossom into his brand, atEase, which celebrates California Chenin Blanc.

Derek’s personality exemplifies the laid-back nature of a true Southern California native, which he channels into the atEase wines.  We have yet to see him without a smile, and jazzed to be sharing the story of his brand.  He began pondering the thought of creating atEase while working as an Enologist with the Luxury Portfolio at Trinchero Wines, which meant managing seven different winemakers across ten different labels.  While the job at Trinchero garnered Derek a wealth of knowledge and experience, it was a demanding role highly focused on curating a specific style and flavor profile for each wine.  atEase became Derek’s outlet for creative expression with the number one goal of being a pleasant and soul-nourishing process from vine to bottle.  Since Derek established atEase to celebrate the joy he finds in winemaking, he just had to choose Chenin Blanc, his favorite varietal.  Now, as the winemaker for Knightsbridge Winery in Knights Valley, Derek crafts exceptional Cabernet by day and intriguingly delicious Chenin Blanc by night.

What better vineyard to source from than Jurassic Park, which set him down the Chenin path in the first place?  And with nothing to lose, Derek shot his shot and reached out with his story and desires.  To his delight, they granted his wish and welcomed him to the vineyard to walk the rows and discuss a grape contract.  The 50-plus-year-old vines are planted in limestone-heavy sandy soils on their original root systems.  Being older vines, the Chenin grows tiny berries bursting with concentrated flavor that translates to intensely perfumed and complexly-flavored wines.   In addition, the proximity to the Pacific Ocean cools down the otherwise sun-laden site and allows for a more extended ripening period.  The vineyard garnered its name from the rusted-out antique farming equipment and abandoned oil drillers that greet visitors on the way out to the vines, reminiscent of scenes from the famous movie.

Derek produced only 47 cases of this debut Chenin Blanc, which shows atEase is truly a passion project for him.  The wine aged eight months in neutral French oak barrels after a slow native fermentation.  Aromatics of key limes, flint, and crushed seashells draw you into the textured palate, showcasing the limestone-rich in its profound minerality and energetic acidity.  A glass of this wine begs to be sipped alongside fresh seafood like a dozen raw oysters or pasta alle vongole, so pop a bottle and get to enjoying.  2021 atEase Chenin Blanc is a wine destined to brighten your day and lift your spirits.