The Latin ‘Sine Qua Non’ means ‘an essential condition; a thing that is absolutely necessary’. While no single bottle of wine might conceivably lay claim to that status (however high its Decanter score), don’t tell that to Manfred and Elaine Krankl, the husband and wife Californians who established Sine Qua Non winery in 1994 on the Central Coast. That is exactly their crazy, marvellous dream.
From hobbyist viticulturalists and an initial four and a half barrels of Syrah, Sine Qua Non has expanded into a full-time winery with four different vineyards and such huge demand that the Krankls have been forced to draw up ‘something as annoying as a waiting list’. They specialise in Rhône style Syrah and Grenache blends, but have also dabbled in Pinot Noir, Viognier, Chardonnay, sweet wine and Rosé in the past.