The Paring GS Blend 2009
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The vineyard and winemaking team behind Jonata & The Hilt Estate present The Paring; a focused collection of wines with a goal to craft an honest and delicious bottle of wine for every occasion and table.
o In kitchens around the world, the Paring knife has become a chef’s staple for its versatility. The Paring wines were created with this same intent. Full of vibrance, complexity, and versatility, the wines are a perfect compliment to every occasion.
o The Paring Wines are sourced primarily from our estate vineyards in Ballard Canyon & Santa Rita Hills and trusted vineyards in Northern California to produce wines that are a true expression of classic California style. Blocks from the select vineyards are designated for The Paring ahead of harvest and made with the same intention and care that goes into the wines of Jonata & The Hilt Estate.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.