Winemaker Notes
This exquisitely blended Pinot Noir, is a harmonious fusion of grapes from the Santa Rita Hills, Santa Maria, Los Alamos, and San Luis Obispo AVAs. Although it’s delicate on the palate, Cork Dancer offers a symphony of red fruit notes, with hints of raspberry and cherry dancing gracefully alongside subtle earthy undertones. Aged in neutral Hungarian oak barrels, it embraces a nuanced spiciness, enhancing its character with a gentle warmth. Experience the epitome of finesse with every sip, as this wine unveils the pure essence of Pinot Noir in an ethereal expression.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Light colored in the glass, this bottling adds a pleasing funk and dank herb kick to the red fruit aromas on the nose. Intriguing flavors on the palate of strawberry, thyme and juniper recall mountain hikes, while soft tannins lead through the finish
Pinot Noir is the second-most planted grape in Santa Barbara County, just behind Chardonnay. It thrives in cooler areas of the region, namely in the of the Sta. Rita Hills, which is part of Santa Barbara’s larger Santa Ynez Valley sub-appellation. Thought for decades to be too cool for viticulture, Sta. Rita Hills began to gain notoriety in the 1970’s, thanks to the pioneering work of Richard Sandford and Michael Benedict, among others.
Santa Barbara Pinot Noir dances across the palate with vivid red fruit and spice. Precision, bright acidity, elegance and fruit-driven silkiness make Santa Barbara Pinot delightfully enjoyable, whether on their own or with a variety of dishes.