Winemaker Notes
Big, bright, primary, cherry / red berry, spicy, sauvage and showy. Expect classic Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir aromas. ‘Dead to rights’ classic Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir: brambly, peppery bright and ripe cherry fruit, hints of game and saline mineral: bright, enticing, fruity with great liveliness in the palate and on the finish. Insanely versatile with food. Safe to match with salmon, pork, chicken, lighter beef and game dishes such as tri-tip, quail, venison. Try it with a grilled goat-cheese napoleon with eggplant and root vegetables. The current brightness of this wine could make it a candidate for illuminating earthy dishes such as lentil stew, hummus, Cuban black beans and rice.
After a long and rewarding career as a salesman, grape grower and ambassador for Santa Maria and Paso Robles wine, Jeff Wilkes decided to try his hand at winemaking.
He went to his long-time employer and friend, Steve Miller, with a proposal to create wines that focused on California’s Central Coast, through the lens of two of its sub-AVA’s, Santa Maria and Paso Robles Highlands.
Jeff launched his namesake label in 2001 and immediately received critical acclaim. He continued on that path until his untimely passing in 2010. Inspired by Jeff’s vision and moved by their friendship, the Miller family decided to continue the J. Wilkes label as a tribute to Jeff’s passion.
Santa Maria Valley lies mainly in northern Santa Barbara County, with a small portion of it overlapping southern San Luis Obispo County. It is close to the Pacific, and runs east-west, which means warmer air in the eastern end draws cool air off the ocean in the west, and brings it through the valley. This effect, combined with abundant sunshine, lengthens the growing season. The longer growing season leads to long hang time, which promotes both ripeness and optimal acidity levels in grape berries. As early as the 1970’s, Santa Maria Valley was recognized as being a superior source of wine grapes, certainly including Chardonnay and Syrah. But arguably the top variety here is Pinot Noir.
Originally a domain primarily of growers, including the Miller Family of the justifiably famous Bien Nacido Vineyard, this AVA is now home to over 30 wineries. Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir consistently offers full flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberry, often accompanied by notes of spice, cola, vanilla and earth. They show impressive balance and elegance, as well as great versatility with food.