VINEYARD Mt. Carmel, Rita’s Crown, Bentrock, Radian, John Sebastiano, Sanford & Benedict, Drum Canyon, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Peake Ranch, La Encantada
CLONES 828, 2A, Pommard, 667, 115, 777
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Combination of Jory (volcanic soil), Mustard-tinted Willakenzie (marine-sediment), and Laurelwood (loess & silt)
FERMENTATION 64% stainless steel, 29% concrete, 7% oak; 3% whole cluster
ÉLEVAGE 40% new French oak & 60% neutral oak for 16 months, 16% foudre for 16 months, then 100% of the blend was aged in stainless steel for 1 month.
ALCOHOL 14.2%
pH 3.62
TA 5.87 g/L
AROMA
Expressive strawberry, raspberry, and cherry intertwine with violet and a hint of eucalyptus, with subtle notes of vanilla and baking spice.
PALATE
Bing cherry, wild raspberry, and boysenberry shine with bright acidity, seamlessly layered with cinnamon and allspice. Earthy undertones of leather and bramble add depth, leading to a structured, lingering finish.
Our Appellation Series wines embody our relentless pursuit of crafting wines that reflect the land that defines them. The Sta. Rita Hills AVA, shaped by tectonic movement over 20 million years, is a marvel of nature. Mountains rose from the sea and rotated to form the transverse ranges along the Pacific Coast, creating one of the most distinctive cool-climate winegrowing regions in the world. The result is a microclimate influenced by cool coastal fog and steady ocean winds, offering an ideal environment for Pinot Noir to develop vibrancy and complexity.
Sourced from exceptional vineyards throughout the region, the 2023 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir offers a vibrant bouquet of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry, unfolding with violet, eucalyptus, and a hint of baking spice. The palate echoes with bright red and dark berries, seamlessly layered with cinnamon, allspice, and earthy undertones. Aged for 16 months in a mix of French oak and foudre, followed by time in stainless steel, the wine’s structure is polished and refined, allowing the expressive fruit and nuanced spice to unfold with precision. Balanced acidity and polished tannins carry through to a lingering, elegant finish.
Fact of Note: 24% of the Sta. Rita Hills blend was aged in a Rousseau wooden cask.
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.
