Outward Sendero Luminoso Red Wine Central Coast 2024

At its core, Outward Wines is about discovery—of place, of flavor, and of possibility. Founded by Natalie Siddique and Ryan Pace, Outward is more than just a winery; it is an exploration of California's Central Coast through the lens of thoughtful farming, minimal-intervention winemaking, and a spirit of adventure. Each bottling seeks to tell the story of its site, but also reflects the hands, travels, and inspirations of the people behind it.

Their latest release, the 2024 Sendero Luminoso, is a red blend that captures the essence of this philosophy. Named after an iconic rock climb in El Potrero Chico, Mexico—a climb the duo completed themselves—Sendero Luminoso translates to "Shining Path." It's an apt metaphor for Outward's approach: forging upward, pushing limits, and finding brilliance along the way.

Sendero Luminoso is Outward's take on the classic Southern Rhône GSM blend. But true to their boundary-pushing nature, Natalie and Ryan made a bold substitution. Instead of Grenache, they spotlight Vaccarèse, one of the rarest varieties permitted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and a grape planted in only two vineyards in all of North America. By weaving this rarity into their blend, they've created something entirely unique—both familiar and fresh at the same time.

The 2024 blend is composed of 60% Syrah from the Starfire Vineyard, 30% Vaccarèse from the Old Oak Vineyard, and 10% Mourvèdre from Rancho Arroyo Grande. Together, these vineyards span the San Luis Obispo Coast and surrounding regions, each one touched by the Pacific's cooling influence and farmed organically at minimum. Vibrant and aromatic from the first pour, the wine opens with notes of blackberry and violet, grounded by savory hints of bacon fat, herbs de Provence, and a touch of earth. The palate is seamless, marrying the dark, concentrated fruit of Syrah with the aromatic lift of Vaccarèse and the structure of Mourvèdre. Silky yet energetic, the wine lingers with freshness and spice. It's a wine that feels at once classic and unexpected, a nod to Rhône tradition but with a distinctly Central Coast accent. And so with that, we invite you to raise a glass to adventure with a wine that truly lights the way!