Winemaker Notes
This wine is a little more substantial than previous releases. There's a more fruity core, with more thickness on the palate and a nice bit of grip in the finish. There are earthy, floral, and spicy complexities.
This wine pairs perfectly with meals and is also delicious when slightly chilled for casual patio drinking.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The appellation 2017 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County is terrific, with a more Santa Maria mineral and masculine style. Medium-bodied, nicely balanced, and complex, with lots of smoke, dark fruits, and leafy herbs, it’s not a blockbuster but has beautiful character.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale ruby, the 2017 Pinot Noir has a classically styled nose with aromas of cola, woodsmoke, black tea leaves, cranberry and Bing cherry plus undergrowth and earthy hints. The palate is light-bodied, silky and delicate with earthy character, soft tannins, juicy acidity and a long finish. This has nice purity and delicacy. 950 cases produced.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: From my tastings and research, $40 is the starting point to find top quality Pinot Noirs, and most often, these wines at this price point fall short of expectations. The 2017 Ojai Vineyard Santa Barbara County is an exception to business as usual. TASTING NOTES: This wine is subtle and delicious. Its fine-tuned aromas and flavors of red fruits and dried earth should pair it well with grilled wild mushroom-accented lamb burgers. (Tasted: July 11, 2019, 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.