VINEYARD Drum Canyon, Sanford & Benedict, Our Lady of Guadalupe (formerly Bloodlines), Bentrock, Radian, Francesca, Hilliard Bruce, Rita’s Crown, Mt. Carmel
CLONES 667, 777, 115, 2A, Swan, 828, 23
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Silica (D.E marine-based soil)
FERMENTATION 62% stainless steel, 20% concrete, 18% wood, 3% whole cluster
ÉLEVAGE 47% new French oak for 15 months, 6% new Austrian oak for 15 months, 4% wood cask for 14 months
ALCOHOL 14.1%
pH 3.64
TA 5.8 g/L
AROMA
An explosion of red fruit with an understated yet elegant savory quality. Nostalgic notes of cinnamon stick and clove mesmerize.
PALATE
Deeply rich with an earthy core and copious amounts of fruit. Refreshingly light on the palate with well-integrated tannins and unique flair.
Celebrating the cool-climate character and complexity of California’s most revered winegrowing regions, our Appellation Series wines are a study in terroir with soulful elegance and energetic intensity.
A microclimate that began 20 million years ago is nothing short of a miracle. Over the years, tectonic plate movements 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. This distinctive feature of the purely East/West maritime mouth funnels cooling coastal fog and wind to the vines. Sta. Rita Hills is one of the world’s best cool-climate growing regions of Pinot Noir.
The 2020 Sta. Rita Hills harvest began two weeks earlier due to several heat spikes throughout the summer and extended an additional five weeks due to slow ripening conditions which led to high quality and character development of the grapes. Bursting with vibrant red fruit, baking spice, and an earthy core, this fascinatingly layered wine is delightfully unique.
Fact of Note: Larger yields enabled higher utilization of concrete and wood fermentation vessels.
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.
