"Sine qua non" can be freely translated as "absolutely indispensable" – a fitting description for the wines of Austrian-born Manfred Krankl, who named his Californian project accordingly. His original base in Ventura, which he called the "Garage d'Or," was described by wine guru Robert Parker as an ideal set for "Mad Max." Even before founding Sine Qua Non (SQN) in 1994, Krankl had already bottled some wine with friends. Since 2000, he has earned a perfect 100/100 score from Robert Parker 13 times. With a limited production of 4,000 cases, demand remains enormous despite high prices. Today, Krankl operates an elegant designer winery next to his home on Lake Casitas and manages his Cumulus vineyards in Oak View.
The estate is farmed according to biodynamic principles, following a "biodynamic calendar," with no use of pesticides (insecticides, herbicides). Each year, both the wine names and the labels, which Krankl designs himself, are changed.
