Winemaker Notes
A complex wine with soft tannins and a velvety texture, our 2016 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir opens with aromas of Rainier cherry, pomegranate, strawberry and ground cloves. Bright acidity frames the mid-palate, balanced by red fruit flavors and spice and a long, elegant 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.