Qupe shares a production facility with the famous Chardonnay producer Au Bon Climat, which is a cult favorite from the Central Coast appellation that commands hefty prices on the market. Qupe was founded Bob Lindquist who got his start, like many of today's small producers as a cellar rat for Zaca Mesa winery where he met and learned from winemakers Ken Brown and Jim Clendenen. After seven years "under the influence" Bob decided to begin winemaking under his own label, and founded Qupe in 1982 in order to produce primarily Rhone Style wines, which were his first and abiding love.
In addition to these Rhone varietals, Bob also continues to produce Chardonnay (from the grapes he shares with Au Bon Climat) and this wine, which his an even 50/50 split of Chardonnay and Viognier. "By itself the Viognier is quite ripe and rather alcoholic with low acidity. The Chardonnay reigns it back in and balances the wine perfectly," says Bob, who recommends the wine as a warm weather aperitif as well as to complement Asian cuisine.
This all purpose white wine is a 50/50 blend of Viognier and Chardonnay. The chardonnay comes from Qupe's first pick at Bien Nacido – Y Block Vineyard. Most of the viognier is from Bien Nacido, with a small percentage of viognier coming from the Vogelzang vineyard in Santa Ynez.