Amplify Wines

founded by husband-and-wife team Cameron and Marlen Porter, is a project rooted in a shared love of music and a passion for natural winemaking. Based in Santa Barbara County, their philosophy is to "amplify the voice of site" by crafting wines that are a pure and unadulterated expression of the vineyards they work with. This technical overview explores the key tenets of their approach, from the ground up.

Terroir: The Diverse Palette of Santa Barbara County

Amplify Wines sources grapes from a variety of vineyards across Santa Barbara County, a region known for its diverse microclimates and soils. This allows Cameron and Marlen to create a range of wines that showcase the region's complexity.

• Diverse Vineyard Sources: Rather than being tied to a single estate, Amplify works with a handful of growers who share their commitment to sustainable and organic farming. This provides them with access to a rich tapestry of terroirs, from the marine-influenced coolness of the Sta. Rita Hills to the warmer inland sites of the Santa Ynez Valley. This is crucial for their artistic approach, as they can select specific grapes and sites that will "amplify" a particular characteristic or style.

• Organic and Sustainable Farming: The Porters are staunch believers in healthy ecosystems. They partner with vineyards that practice organic farming, avoiding synthetic chemicals and focusing on soil health. Some of their vineyard sources, like Camp 4 Vineyard, are even owned by the Chumash band of Native Americans, adding another layer of historical and spiritual significance to their work.

• Site-Specific Varieties: Amplify works with a wide range of grape varieties, from well-known Central Coast staples like Grenache Blanc and Merlot to less common grapes like Refosco and Counoise. This diversity allows them to experiment and create unique blends, all while remaining true to the character of the site.

Winemaking: Intuition and Minimal Intervention

The winemaking at Amplify is a hands-off, intuitive process that prioritizes purity and expression. The Porters' goal is not to impose a style on the wine but to guide it as it naturally evolves.

• Native Yeast Fermentation: A cornerstone of their philosophy is the use of native yeasts for fermentation. These indigenous yeasts, which are found on the grape skins and in the winery environment, are a key component of the terroir. This spontaneous fermentation allows for a more complex and nuanced wine, as opposed to the more predictable results of commercial yeast strains.

• Neutral Vessels: Amplify's wines are typically aged in neutral vessels, such as older, well-seasoned barrels. This prevents new oak flavors from masking the delicate aromas and flavors of the grapes, allowing the fruit and the vineyard's character to be the dominant force.

• No Additions (with one exception): The Porters are committed to a "no additions" policy, meaning they don't add anything to the wine, with the sole exception of a minimal amount of sulfur dioxide (SO2) at bottling. This minimal use of SO2 is a common practice in the natural wine world to ensure stability and freshness, while still allowing the wine to be vibrant and expressive.

• Unfined and Unfiltered: To preserve the wine's natural texture, flavor, and color, Amplify's wines are unfined and unfiltered. This is a common technique in natural winemaking and can result in a slightly hazy appearance, a sign that the wine has not been stripped of its natural components.

• Embracing Happy Accidents: The Porters' approach is guided by a creative spirit and their palates. They are open to "happy accidents" and let intuition guide their hands, which has led to unique and interesting wines, such as their "Four on the Flor," a rosé aged under flor yeast, a technique typically used in sherry production.

Amplify Wines is a perfect example of modern natural winemaking. By combining a deep respect for their vineyard sources with a non-dogmatic, intuitive approach in the cellar, Cameron and Marlen Porter are crafting authentic, site-specific wines that are full of energy, freshness, and character.