COLOUR
Red
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2022
GRAPE
Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre
PRODUCER
Holus Bolus
REGION
California
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Medium - Light
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
Medium - High
Finish
Medium - Long
Intensity
Mid - Pronounced
Tannins
Medium - Low
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Hocus Pocus is an approachable, cool-climate project created by the husband-and-wife winemaking team Peter Hunken and Amy Christine MW under their Black Sheep Finds umbrella. Based in Santa Barbara County, the duo focuses on crafting vibrant, food-friendly wines that showcase the unique maritime influence of the region. Amy Christine, one of the few Masters of Wine in the United States, brings her deep expertise in American Syrah to the project, while Peter utilizes his extensive experience from legendary local estates like Stolpman. The whimsical octopus on the label represents their hands-on, multi-tasking approach to managing every aspect of the vineyard and winery themselves.
ALCOHOL
13.5%
AVG. PRICE
€28
STYLE
Classic
VEGAN
YES
SULPHITES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
15-18°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
Co-founder Amy Christine is a Master of Wine who wrote her dissertation specifically on US Syrah.
Fact 02
The name 'Holus Bolus' is Latin slang for 'all at a gulp,' representing the founders going completely all-in.
Fact 03
The octopus on the label jokes about the couple needing eight arms to handle all vineyard and winery work themselves.
Fact 04
While typically a 100% Syrah, the 2022 vintage is a unique GSM blend crafted for a lighter, brighter style.
FOOD PAIRING
Read more
WINE MAKING PROCESS
The grapes for the 2022 vintage were hand-harvested from three premium, cool-climate vineyards in Santa Barbara County: John Sebastiano, Presqu'ile, and their own biodynamically farmed estate, The Joy Fantastic. In the cellar, the winemakers employ minimal-intervention techniques, utilizing natural yeasts for fermentation. To maintain a delicate, fresh, and aromatic profile, they use gentle cap management, favoring light pump-overs rather than aggressive punch-downs. The wine was aged for 10 months in neutral French oak barrels, allowing the bright, cool-climate fruit and peppery characteristics to shine without being overshadowed by new wood flavors. The wine is bottled unfined using natural gravity-settling.
