McGinley vineyard is located 2 miles north of Lake Cachuma in the Upper Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County. Owned by the McGinley family since 2006, McGinley sits 37 miles east of the Pacific Ocean on a series of smooth, bench-like terraces that are broken by narrow, steep-sided drainageways. At 800 feet elevation this vineyard enjoys a southeastern exposure making it one of Santa Barbara County's warmest terroirs. In addition to a Paso Robles-like climate one is impressed with McGinley's rocky brown soils. Identified as "Positas fine sandy loam," this well-drained, cobbly soil is underlain by a reddish-brown gravelly clay at 20 to 26 inches. In 2001 Jeff Newton planted multiple blocks of Syrah 8 foot by 4 foot (1361 vines per acre). Thanks to Tim and Jeff's longstanding relationship, Clos Mimi was fortunate enough to purchase grapes from a 1.29-acre block planted to the Estrella clone of Syrah grafted onto 101-14Mg rootstock. With yields kept under 2.0 tons per acre at McGinley vineyard, Clos Mimi will produce 1500 bottles per year. Beginning with the 2004 season, Jeff has agreed to farm Clos Mimi's block without herbicides and fertilizers. McGinley vineyard was labeled as "westerly vineyard" with the inaugural 2003 vintage. The 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, etc. vintages will be labeled as "mcginley vineyard" fyi.