Pssst… confidant Operatives, listen in! This winery, the bountiful farm sharing the land and its pristine, organically farmed vineyards are situated in what is considered the ‘tenderloin’ of the tiny appellation of Sta. Rita Hills. Within a stone’s throw, you find renowned vineyards such as the iconic Sanford & Benedict, the majestic Rita’s Crown and the mythical Sea Smoke whose Pinot Noirs can fetch $100s per bottle! This merely a 100 square miles appellation is super-concentrated with some of the Pacific’s top windswept coastal Pinot Noir vineyards (as seen in the Motion Picture Sideways) and this well-kept secret is every bit as tasty and pedigreed as its more famous neighbors.

A pale shade of crimson reminds the eye deceptively of a deep rosé first. Cherry and cranberry, with rose petal, and earthy aromas of dried herbs are what the nose offers enticingly. Rich on the palate, contrary to the appearance, with raspberry, red plum, black currant, minerals, and black pepper. Pure, solidly focused and seamless with a lingering X-factor deliciousness on the juicy, long finish. A grilled filet of wild salmon over greens tossed in a mustard vinaigrette would pair delightfully with this ‘feminine’ red.

While this hauntingly beautiful Pinot Noir was never submitted to the press, Josh Raynolds of Vinous seems to have woken up to the wonders that await at Buttonwood - “Winemaker Karen Steinwachs has raised the quality at this scenic property several notches in recent years by focusing her efforts on “preserving vitality and spiciness by not looking for maximum Brix levels, by gentle pressing, and by less reliance on new wood. I suspect that most wine tourists who find their way onto the property are really there for the atmosphere, which is understandable given the bucolic setting, but the wines merit far more attention than I suspect they receive.”

What Buttonwood lacks in fame, it more than makes up for it in value, thanks to this covert deal we got for you. We challenge you to find a tastier, prettier rendition of Pinot Noir anywhere near this price point.