Winemaker Notes
Our 2016 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir shows aromas of pencil lead and concentrated black fruit, which have proven to be the hallmark of the vintage. Light herbal notes from the whole clusters included in the ferment frame the aromas of this fresh and vibrant wine. On the palate, lithe acid balances explosive dark fruit flavors of blackberry and plum. Sophisticated, dusty tannins underpin the structure of the wine which finishes long and pure. Drink now with all seasonal fare, from lighter fish preparations to your heartiest roasts.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
A superior source of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. This relatively new AVA is unquestionably one to keep an eye on.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.