DUTCH - The Official Ronald Reagan Wine:
A Tribute to Legacy, Land, and Hard Work

Welcome to a story that’s not just about wine, but about the land, the legacy, and the lasting impact of a man who walked these very hills—the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. You see, in the Santa Ynez Valley, we don’t just grow grapes. We cultivate history. We cherish the roots that have been planted here, not just in our vineyards but in our Soul. And today, we’re proud to introduce DUTCH, the first and only wine made to honor our most famous resident, President Ronald Reagan.

Ronald Reagan wasn’t just a figure on the world stage; he was one of us.
A Local Rancher who loved this Valley
He lived in the Santa Ynez Valley, breathed the same crisp air, and watched the same golden sunsets over these rolling hills. He understood the value of hard work, the importance of community, and the need to preserve the beauty of this land for generations to come.

That’s why when we were approached to create a wine that would bear his name, we didn’t just see it as a project
—we saw it as a duty.

DUTCH is more than just a wine. It’s a tribute. A tribute to a man whose legacy is as enduring as the oak trees that dot our landscape. A man who, despite his global influence, never forgot the simple pleasures of life and a good hard days work on the ranch. From the soil to the bottle, DUTCH is crafted with the same care and dedication that Reagan showed to the country he loved.

Every bottle of DUTCH is a piece of the Santa Ynez Valley, crafted from our Estate Vines that have been nurtured in the same Valley that Reagan once called home. It’s a wine that reflects the strength and character of the man it honors
—bold, yet balanced; complex, yet approachable.
Just like the President, this wine has a depth that invites exploration.

But this isn’t just about remembering the past—it’s about preserving the future.
The proceeds from DUTCH go directly to the preservation of the Ronald Reagan Ranch, ensuring that this piece of American history remains intact for future generations to experience and appreciate. The ranch is more than just a place; it’s a symbol of the values Reagan stood for: freedom, hard work, and the beauty of the American landscape.

And let’s talk about that work. Ronald Reagan wasn’t just a leader; he was a worker like us.
Every day, he would roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty, tending to his property with the same care and commitment that we show to our vineyards.
Reagan wasn’t afraid of hard work—in fact, he thrived on it.
He cut his own trees, built his own fences out of retired telephone poles, and did it all with a chainsaw in hand.
He set every pole himself, working the land with a determination that we understand all too well.
And when he had completed these daily tasks and chores, he would then use the lessons learned from that hard work to guide those same hands to change the course of the United States and the world.
It’s a testament to how deeply he was connected to the values of perseverance, humility, and the simple, honest labor that shapes both land and leadership.

This is the kind of work that we know—work that’s dirty, hard, and yet deeply satisfying.
It’s the kind of work that leaves you tired at the end of the day, but also with a sense of accomplishment that’s hard to put into words. Reagan knew that feeling, and so do we. It’s the feeling of creating something lasting with your own two hands, of putting in the sweat and effort to build something that will stand the test of time. This hard work kept the leader of the free world humble and grounded, connected to the daily tasks and chores we all face. I, for one, believe that this work is what made him a great leader—a man who never lost touch with the values that define us all.

But Reagan’s connection to the Santa Ynez Valley wasn’t just through his work; it was through the way he lived here, as a neighbor and a fellow resident. He voted in Solvang, ate in Ballard, and even went to the same movie theater as my family to watch films. I’ve even been in the special room they built for him at the theater, a hidden space you could only access by walking through the projector room. Inside, there was a small room with bulletproof glass, positioned above the unsuspecting patrons below. It’s a small detail, but it speaks volumes about how Reagan was both a part of our community and, at the same time, had to be protected because of the immense responsibility he carried as the leader of the free world.

The Reagan Ranch wasn’t just a retreat for the President; it was a stage where history unfolded. It was here, in our beloved Santa Ynez Valley, that Reagan hosted some of the most significant figures of the 20th century. The Queen of England herself visited this humble valley, drawn not just by diplomatic ties, but by a friendship forged with Reagan. It was because of Reagan that Her Majesty experienced the rustic charm of our valley, a visit that forever linked this land with royal history.

But perhaps the most world-changing visit was that of Mikhail Gorbachev, the leader of the Soviet Union. It was here, amid the serene beauty of the Reagan Ranch, that two of the world’s most powerful men met, not as adversaries, but as men seeking a path to peace. Their discussions in our valley were more than just political theater; they were the beginning of the end for the Cold War. It was here that the seeds were planted for the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union—a moment that would reshape the world forever. Right Here - In this Valley

At Saarloos and Sons, we’ve always believed that wine is a way to honor the past while preparing for the future. DUTCH is our way of doing just that—honoring a man who has left an indelible mark on our nation and our valley while helping to preserve the very land that he loved.

This wine fulfills our Family Creed: "We live to honor those that have come before us, and to prepare the way for those yet to come." It's not just a saying; it's a guiding principle that shapes everything we do.

We were even told that the President would be proud of this wine—proud of how it was grown and made in the place he loved and called home. I’ve seen his wine cellar in his modest 1,000 square-foot adobe home on the ranch, a small stand-up cellar he put in because the wine in his home was cooked in the warm Santa Ynez Valley air. It’s a detail that speaks to the care and attention Reagan gave to the things he loved, much like the care we put into every bottle of DUTCH.

I have to say, this is the most tremendous honor of my life. My father and my grandfather, if they were here, would not believe that our humble work has been selected to honor a President of the United States, President Ronald Reagan.

Or as I like to think of him, a fellow rancher in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. What an honor it is to stand on this land, to craft this wine, and to be a part of something so much bigger than ourselves.

So, when you raise a glass of DUTCH, you’re not just tasting a wine. You’re taking part in a legacy. You’re helping to preserve the beauty of the Santa Ynez Valley, just as Ronald Reagan would have wanted. And in doing so, you’re joining us in honoring those who have come before us and preparing the way for those yet to come.

This isn’t just a wine. This is DUTCH. A tribute. A legacy. A piece of the Santa Ynez Valley. And it’s made with the same love and respect that we pour into everything we do. Cheers to Ronald Reagan. Cheers to the land we love. And cheers to you for being a part of it all.

Honored Beyond Words
Keith Saarloos

2022 Saarloos and Sons Estate Syrah - High Hill Vineyard: Tasting Notes

Appearance:
The 2022 Saarloos and Sons Estate Syrah presents itself with a deeply concentrated, almost inky, core of garnet-ruby, gradually transitioning to a slight brick-red hue at the rim, indicative of its youth and potential for development. The wine’s density is evident upon pouring, with its thick, slow-moving legs clinging to the sides of the glass, showcasing its richness, high extract, and potential alcohol content. This is a wine that immediately signals power and complexity, promising a profound sensory experience.

Nose:
On the nose, this Syrah is nothing short of a symphony of aromas, each layer revealing more of its intricate character with time in the glass. The initial wave is dominated by an intense bouquet of ripe dark fruits—blackberry preserves, macerated black cherries, and plump blueberries—intermingled with the subtle floral elegance of violets and lavender, which adds an almost ethereal quality to the experience.

As the wine opens, deeper, more complex layers emerge. There’s an intriguing interplay between savory and sweet elements: smoky bacon fat, characteristic of well-crafted Syrah, mingles with cracked black pepper and a touch of smoked meat, offering a savory counterbalance to the wine’s fruit-forward nature. These are followed by a more mineral-driven core, with graphite, crushed rock, and a hint of iron, contributing to the wine’s sense of place and the distinct terroir of the High Hill Vineyard.

The oak influence is masterfully integrated, contributing nuanced notes of sweet vanilla, toasted coconut, and a dusting of cocoa powder. These elements are not overpowering but rather provide a supporting role, enhancing the wine’s complexity without masking its inherent character. There is also a subtle, earthy undertone—forest floor, dried herbs, and a touch of leather—that speaks to the wine’s potential for aging and the development of tertiary aromas over time.

Palate:
On the palate, the 2022 Syrah is full-bodied and impeccably structured, delivering a mouth-coating richness that is both luxurious and precise. The entry is opulent, with a rush of dark fruits—blackcurrant, mulberry, and ripe plum—enveloping the palate in a velvety texture. The wine’s fruit intensity is perfectly balanced by a lively acidity, which provides freshness and vibrancy, ensuring the wine remains dynamic and engaging from start to finish.

As the wine progresses across the palate, it reveals a more complex, savory dimension. Notes of black olive tapenade, cured meats, and a faint hint of soy sauce add a savory depth that is characteristic of Syrah grown in well-drained, rocky soils. The mid-palate is where the wine’s oak influence becomes more pronounced, yet still restrained, offering hints of dark chocolate, espresso, and toasted cedar. These flavors are seamlessly integrated, contributing to the wine’s overall balance and harmony.

The tannins are finely grained and well-structured, providing a firm yet silky framework that supports the wine’s considerable fruit and weight. They are ripe and polished, ensuring the wine’s longevity and potential for aging, while also being approachable in its youth. There is a subtle mineral undertone that runs throughout the palate, adding a sense of tension and energy, which elevates the wine’s complexity and keeps the fruit in check.

Finish:
The finish of this Syrah is remarkably long and layered, with a persistence that lingers for minutes, inviting contemplation. The final notes are a beautiful synthesis of the wine’s components: the dark fruit core fades into a medley of savory and sweet spices—black pepper, anise, and a touch of cinnamon—while the oak imparts a gentle warmth with lingering notes of vanilla, cocoa, and a whisper of clove.

A faint hint of dried tobacco leaf and earthy truffle emerges as the wine recedes, suggesting the early stages of what promises to be a fascinating evolution with further bottle age. There is a satisfying interplay between the wine’s residual minerality and its velvety tannins, which leaves the palate both cleansed and yearning for the next sip.

Aging Potential:
The 2022 Saarloos and Sons Estate Syrah is a wine that will reward both immediate enjoyment and long-term cellaring. While it is already displaying exceptional balance and complexity, the wine’s underlying structure and concentration suggest it will evolve beautifully over the next 20 to 30 years. As it ages, expect the fruit to soften and integrate further with the wine’s savory and earthy elements, leading to the development of tertiary characteristics such as dried fruit, leather, and tobacco, which will add additional layers of complexity.

This Syrah is likely to reach its peak between 2032 and 2045, with the potential to hold and even gain in character through 2052. Proper cellaring conditions will ensure the wine’s longevity, allowing it to reveal its full potential to those with the patience to wait.

Overall Impression:
The 2022 Saarloos and Sons Estate Syrah from High Hill Vineyard is a testament to the art of winemaking and the unique terroir of the Santa Ynez Valley. It is a wine that embodies power, elegance, and a profound sense of place, offering a sensory journey that will captivate both seasoned collectors and lovers of fine Syrah. With its combination of immediate appeal and extraordinary aging potential, this wine stands as a benchmark for what can be achieved in this remarkable region, reflecting the dedication, skill, and passion that define Saarloos and Sons. Whether enjoyed now or in the decades to come, this Syrah is sure to leave a lasting impression and become a treasured part of any collection.