Long-time Kompas Clubbers know that we loves us some Gamay. So when we tasted an excellent, reasonably priced one from Santa Barbara, our first from SB, it was a no brainer. The Alisos Canyon AVA, established in 2020, lies northwest of Santa Barbara, just north of the Sta. Rita Hills, the Santa Ynez Valley and Ballard Canyon. Its climate is slightly warmer than the Sta. Rita Hills and slightly cooler than Ballard Canyon with soils of weathered sandstone and shale, streaked with rare-in-California-limestone that thickens grape skins and boosts structure in red grapes here, just as it does in Beaujolais, the historical home of Gamay. The SIP-certified Nolan Vineyard is planted to 18 varieties and which reflects the adventurous side of Santa Barbara viticulture that is also represented by Kyle Knapp, long-time head winemaker at Stolpman Vineyards as well as Founder/Winemaker of Press Gang Cellars since 2010, who has long championed such less-common grapes. The 2022 Gamay is whole-cluster fermented in concrete and aged in neutral oak. Flavors of cranberry, just ripe black cherry, blood orange and white pepper. The satiny tannins are light enough to make this a versatile companion to white meats and even white fish, and will also take a good chill.