Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesThe 2019 Pinot Noir Victor Francis Peake Ranch Vineyard is classic Sta. Rita Hills with its savory, salty, spicy, and even meaty aromas and flavors, which turn more floral and exotic with time in the glass. It shows some olive and brine as well, yet its core of ripe red and black fruits is always present, and it's textured, medium to full-bodied, flawlessly balanced, and lengthy on the palate.
The aromas of roses and ripe strawberries with so much perfume. Medium-bodied with firm, fine tannins that spread across the palate and integrate nicely. Fresh, vivid and tight. This will age beautifully.
The 2019 Pinot Noir Peake Ranch Vineyard Victor Francis is one of the more reticent wines in this range. It is distinguished by its red-toned fruit profile and spiced/floral bouquet. On the palate, though, the wine feels a bit narrow and taut. It will be interesting to see if bottle age brings out more mid-palate pliancy and overall depth.
Passion, quality, and authenticity. These are the guiding principles of our small, artisanal winery dedicated to producing Burgundy and Rhone varietals. Paul Lato is a former sommelier who studied wine extensively and traveled the world before starting his winemaking operation on the Central Coast in 2002. Though their style is inspired by the balance and harmony, they also seek to capture the intensity of flavor that is a hallmark of sun-kissed California vineyards.
Through small-lot boutique production, minimal intervention in the winery, and purity of intention, the team works to achieve elegance in the bottle that showcases the unique qualities of these amazing sites. The ultimate goal is to create wines that are seamless and textural with the structure and balance to complement fine cuisine.
A superior source of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. This relatively new AVA is unquestionably one to keep an eye on.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”