Sea Smoke?!!

For the first time, EVER, we have a Pinot Noir from an infamous producer with a name so mystical it begs to be whispered in hushed tones.

Oh, and at under $100? We did some hard googling, and it’s the BEST PRICE WE CAN FIND, ANYWHERE!

And oh, it gets better. We actually have TWO of them today! Yes, both the ‘Southing’ that you see here, and the ‘TEN’!

What a way to start the weekend! Assuming the other hasn’t sold out (a very real possibility), you can find it HERE.

Go ahead and grab both and check out NOW! If you leave them in your cart, you may lose the chance.

Where were we… That’s right, less than a Benjamin for the gold-standard in Cult Pinot from the Sta. Rita Hills. As Wine Advocate rejoices, “when the region is chasing Burgundian-like ripeness and acid profiles, they continue to show it is possible to make rich, full-bodied and concentrated Pinot Noirs from the Sta. Rita Hills that are a joy to drink.”

The winery owes its success to Bob Davids, their visionary founder that bought this amazing property in 1998. And it’s been an absolute legend since the first vintage release in 2001. The inaugural release originally landed on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list (as did the next three vintages), and it is still going strong, recently updated to 100 points by Decanter! Like we said, LEGEND.

Winemaker Don Schroeder is key to their success as well. He’s been there from the beginning, humbly but immaculately farming their 170 acres of vines, as the Wine Independent reports, with their team of “two hundred goats, one hundred and fifty chickens, and four dogs”. Located on a mostly south-facing slope, the site sits up above Fiddlestix, overlooking Sanford & Benedict and the other greats of the region. Its prime terroir is the key to the wine’s success.

Vinous continues the praise for the continued legacy of this site. “The Sea Smoke vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills is one of the most beautiful sites in all of Santa Barbara. The wines are made in a richer, more forward style with a healthy dose of new French oak. The Chardonnays are especially excellent, while the Pinots and sparkling wines (100% Pinot), though good, would benefit from more freshness and lift. Matt Steel, formerly of Talbott in the Santa Lucia Highlands, has very recently come on to oversee production alongside Winemaker Don Schroder. It will be interesting to follow this project in the coming years.”

‘Southing’ is a reference to these south-facing slopes and is a selection of vines known to make rich but subtle Pinot Noir – a more nuanced expression of the vineyard than the ‘Ten’. But both are FANTASTIC.

If we seem enthusiastic, forgive us. Though the 2023’s haven’t been rated yet, they routinely score in the mid to high 90’s… Coming from an excellent vintage, they’re bound to garner laurels galore.

So, this is your chance to score a smokin’ deal on one, or both of these beautiful specimens. Grab some, impress your friends, or just treat yourself!

If you haven’t by now, you may have missed you chance!!!