VINEYARD La Encantada, John Sebastiano Vineyard, Bentrock, Radian, Francesca, Hilliard Bruce, and Mt. Carmel
FERMENTATION 71% Stainless steel open tops / 19% Wood open tops / 14% Whole cluster / 10% Concrete open tops
OAK 42% New French Oak for 15 months
ALCOHOL 13.5%
pH 3.67
TA 5.66 g/L
AROMA
Soft and elegant with aromas of lifted red fruits; rhubarb and sour cherry. Notes of lemon zest and crème fraîche.
PALATE
Compelling and bright with high energy. Structured, layered tannins backed with slight minerality. Thoughtful, layered oak undertone.
A microclimate that began a mere 20 million years ago, is nothing short of a miracle. Tectonic plate movements over the years caused mountains to rise out of the ocean, break off the plate and rotate clockwise creating one of the most defined transverse ranges on the Pacific Coast. Remnants of marine sediment deposited during the Miocene Epoch is the base of the soil found here with the added element of elevated calcium. But what makes this area truly unique is the purely East/West maritime mouth that funnels cooling coastal fog and wind to the vines. One of the smaller AVAs in California, Sta. Rita Hills is one of the world’s best cool-climate growing regions of Pinot Noir.
Sta. Rita Hill’s 2017 growing season was spared from the unusually warm harvest season, but not from the hail, lightning and wind that abruptly swept through the region in mid-September. Luckily, the vines’ resilience prevailed against Mother Nature, producing elegant, distinctive Pinot Noir that we have come to love.
Fact of Note: 10% fermented and aged in concrete.
THE STA. RITA HILLS IS located between the towns of Buellton and Lompoc in Santa Barbara County. A critical component for this region’s success is its cool climate and the purely East/West mountain range, whose maritime mouth funnels coastal fog and wind to the vines. This unique orientation, coupled with exceptional Botella clay and limestone soils, produces wines that are as focused and bright as they are alluring.
Before you hit the Sta. Rita Hills, stretch your legs and explore the various hotels, restaurants, parks, and shops of the quaint town of Buellton. Now famous after making its silver screen debut in the movie Sideways, you can relive the film by visiting one of the many charming eateries and must-go spots when in the area.
