13 May Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Ulloa Cellars 2024 Semillon, Vogelzang Vineyard, Happy Canyon

Semillon is one of those grape varieties that often flies under the radar, yet when done well, it delivers freshness, texture, and remarkable versatility at the table. Tasting the Ulloa Cellars 2024 Semillon from Vogelzang Vineyard in Happy Canyon immediately caught my attention. Bright, balanced, and expressive, it reflects both the character of the vineyard and that of its winemaker, making it the Please The Palate Wine of the Week.

About Ulloa Cellars

Ulloa Cellars was founded in 2019 by winemaker Nancy Ulloa, whose journey into winemaking began  in 2017 with a move from the Bay Area to Paso Robles. Determined to learn the craft, she sought mentorship from respected winemakers in the region and quickly developed her own voice and style. Her first release, a Grüner Veltliner, was met with enthusiastic response and helped establish the foundation for her growing label. Today, Ulloa produces small-batch wines made with intention, experimenting with different vessels to build complexity and express individuality in each wine. In recognition of her innovative spirit and leadership, she was named a Wine Enthusiast 2025 Future 40 Honoree.

Nancy often refers to her wines as her “babies,” each with its own personality and story. Her philosophy centers on mindfulness, creativity, and connection, values that guide both her winemaking and her interactions with the community. She utilizes Crystal Healing Energy during the fermentation and aging of these babies. Positive Affirmations, Gratitude, and Goddess Energy are infused in the wines through Sanskrit Mantra Chanting, Sound Baths & Rituals.

Tasting Notes

The fruit for this wine comes from Vogelzang Vineyard, located in the easternmost part of Santa Barbara County’s wine country. Happy Canyon is known for its warm days, cool nights, and diverse soils, making it an excellent region for Bordeaux varieties such as Semillon. These conditions allow Semillon to develop ripeness while maintaining acidity, resulting in wines that are both fresh and structured.

Semillon is a classic white grape variety most closely associated with Bordeaux, where it is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc. On its own, Semillon can produce wines that are textured, citrus-driven, and subtly waxy, with the ability to age gracefully. In California, Semillon remains relatively uncommon as a single-varietal wine, making examples like this one especially interesting. The Ulloa Cellars 2024 Semillon opens with aromas of citrus, delicate floral notes, and subtle minerality. On the palate, the wine shows bright acidity balanced by a smooth texture and finishes clean and refreshing.

Food Pairing

Semillon’s balance of freshness and texture makes it a natural partner for a wide range of dishes. It pairs beautifully with seafood, roasted chicken, salads, and vegetable-forward cuisine. The textured and waxy profile of Semillon also makes it a good pairing with the slightly sweeter and aromatic side of Thai cuisine. So, when we ordered Thai food for our Mother’s Day dinner, I knew this was the perfect wine to open. It was fresh yet textured, making it a great pairing with garlic chicken, cashew chicken, shrimp Pad Thai, Spring Rolls, and more. I really enjoyed how the fruit-forward notes paired with and enhanced flavors of lemongrass, fresh herbs, ginger, peanuts, and tamarind. 

Where To Purchase

The Ulloa Cellars 2024 Semillon retails for $38 and is available on the Ulloa Cellars website.

If you visit Ulloa Cellars in Paso Robles, you can enjoy a wine tasting with Crystal Pairings. For the 2024 Semillon, her Crystal Pairing is Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite or Blue Calcite for clear communication, honesty, and compassion.