Fall will soon be upon us, and what better way to celebrate cooler weather than by drinking Pinot Noir. I never need a reason to enjoy a glass of this fabled and delicate varietal; it is after all one of the many reasons I took off to Oregon last fall.
My first wine pick of the week is Sanford Winery Sanford and Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta Rita Hills California 2010. Sta Rita Hills was officially established as an AVA in 2001 and located in dreamy Santa Barbara County. Soil structures, microclimates, and East/West valleys that draw cool air from the Pacific come together to make the Sta Rita Hills appellation unique and one of the longest, coolest growing regions in all of California. Sanford winery is one of the oldest wineries in the area established in 1971, and, along with that fact, the winery was used in the filming of the movie Sideways (the film that catapulted Pinot Noir into stratospheric popularity). Most importantly, Sanford winery can also boast quality production of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay like their cult neighbors in the Sta Rita Hills such as Seasmoke and Brewer-Clifton, but has the benefit of being readily available and at a lower price tag.
With 2010 being a very challenging vintage for some producers of California Pinot Noir because of unusually cool weather and reduced yield, it did not pose a problem for Sta Rita Hills producers. The 2010 Sanford and Benedict vineyard Pinot Noir is bold in style with luscious flavors of cola, rhubarb pie, overripe black cherries, savory herbs and spice. Retails for around $60 a bottle and would be delicious paired with seared duck breast or wild boar sausage ragout.
If you want to read more about Sanford and Benedict Vineyard click link below:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-jennings/sanford-benedict-story-of_b_3350715.html
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