About Qupé Wine Cellars
Qupé Wine Cellars is named for the Chumash word for the California poppy — a sacred wildflower in the Chumash cosmology, a symbol of natural beauty in the California landscape. Bob Lindquist chose this indigenous California word to connect his wine project to the deep history of the land where he would make wine, before the Chumash word became more widely known or appreciated.
Bob Lindquist established Qupé in 1982, making him one of the earliest and most significant pioneers of California Syrah and Rhône varieties. His Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah — from the legendary Santa Maria Valley vineyard that has supplied some of California's most celebrated Chardonnay and Pinot Noir — established a reference point for California Syrah that subsequent generations of winemakers have studied.
Wine Advocate has scored Qupé's Bien Nacido Syrah and Santa Ynez Valley Roussanne at 91–95 points, recognizing both the historical significance of the program and the consistent quality of the winemaking.