Winemaker Notes
Hitching Post's flagship cuvee of best barrels and vineyards is rich in flavor, yet smooth, balanced, and elegant. The vineyard emphasizes deep fruit, spice, and earthiness to be enjoyed with food, family and friends.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Hitching Post Highliner Pinot Noir offers excellent richness from start to finish. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with aromas and flavors of red and black fruit with an accent of oak. Pair it with grilled lamb chops. (Tasted: October 5, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
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.