From the famed, cool-climate Sta. Rita Hills AVA, an elegant and classy, with a silky texture and food-friendly personality, this Pinot Noir pairs brilliantly with mushroom dishes, salmon and Sunday Supper.

Sta. Rita Hills is a small appellation encompassing just 100 square miles located about 15 miles west of the estate vineyard, both in one of the few transverse valleys in the Western Hemisphere. Its cool climate, ocean breezes, daily fogs and diverse soils provide the perfect “terroir” for growing exceptional Pinot Noir.

Close to each other in their proximity to the ocean, Rancho la Viña lies off the southern Santa Rosa Road corridor, while the Hibbits Ranch is on the north side of the Santa Ynez River.

The 2014 harvest was one of the earliest on record. Summer-like weather in January and no frost combined with continued drought conditions to accelerate the growing season. Serendipitously, the vines produced a balanced, beautiful and bountiful crop. Three picks of Pinot Noir ensured perfect balance with the various clusters and rootstocks on August 6, August 28 and September 6, 2014.

Upon arrival at the winery, the petite clusters were de-stemmed and then cold soaked to extract color, flavor and tannin from the skins prior to the onset of fermentation. Each lot was inoculated with either RC212 or BRL97 yeast in 1-ton fermenters and gently punched down to control temperature each day. A barrel selection for the Sta. Rita Hills blend was determined, then put back to barrel (including two new Sirugue barrels) before cross-flow filtration and bottling in spring 2016.

The cool-climate characteristics of blueberry and cola are released with a swirl. A first taste brings a cornucopia of red and black cherry, wild strawberry and hints of fennel. A silky texture finishes with lingering notes of raspberry, dried fig and tea.

The Artist Series label original art by co-owner Seyburn Zorthian.