Winemaker Notes
Puerta del Mar (door to the sea) is a six-acre vineyard planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, located on Santa Rosa Road a stone's throw from Highway 1, just south of Lompoc. A decade ago, no one could have imagined that it was possible to ripen grapes successfully so close to the ocean. Perceptions change and so does the climate! Close planted on a level site of mostly alluvial soil with shale-y bits mixed throughout, the most distinctive trait of the vineyard is the constant wind that blows up the Santa Ynez River from the Pacific Ocean.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Winemaker/Proprietor Adam Tolmach produces wines that emphasize the grape variety and sense of place. The 2015 Ojai Puerta Del Mar Pinot Noir is an excellent example of these qualities. TASTING NOTES: This is beautifully balanced wine. Its aromas and flavors of red fruits, forest floor, and chalk should pair well with skewered grilled pork. (Tasted: August 31, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
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Jeb Dunnuck
Framboise, dried flowers and cherry notes all emerge from the 2015 Pinot Noir Puerta Del Mar. This medium-bodied, fresh, and lively Pinot drinks in a cool, sappy, mineral-driven style.
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.
OJAOJAI15PNPM_2015 Item# 422085