While earning degrees in geography and economics at the University of California at Santa Barbara, my love of wine grew into a passion. I became interested in Santa Barbara’s unique microclimates and their remarkable ability to produce wines with distinct character. I could ask for no finer education than working with Laetitia Vineyard & Winery, Gainey Vineyards, Summerland Winery and Central Coast Wine Services as an enologist and winemaker.
Inspired by the viticultural areas of Santa Barbara County, I gave birth to my own label, Cordon of Santa Barbara, in 2001. My goal was – and is – to create exceptional wines that honor tradition; wines that are handcrafted with modern state-of-the-art techniques and, in all respect to my European roots, a very certain old world sensibility; wines that have a true sense of place, balance, elegance, character…and, of course, wines that taste great in concert with good food.
For me, it’s important to make a wine that reflects the best qualities of the grape clone, terroir and climate, the best of Santa Barbara County.
True to place. True to grape. True to self.
I hope that you enjoy my wines.
À votre santé,
Etienne Terlinden

Our Cuvee Blanc, the first White Rhone Blend in our collection, is the sister wine to our Cuvee Rouge 246. It?s all about the blend. Like cooking, it?s about blending the ingredients, in this case Rousanne, Marsanne and Viognier, with each varietal playing its part in creating a balanced wine that shows the highs and lows of fruit and acidity, depth and body. The wine is lush with flavors of melon, peach and marzipan. It pairs very well with Seafood, fish, poultry and game.