2023 Solomon Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir
Solomon Hills Vineyard is the most coastal vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley AVA, with weather that is often cool and foggy, in a region known for such trends. Wind, fog, and sandy marine soils define its personality. Dark cherry, blood orange, and chaparral aromatics lead into a structured palate of blackberry and clove. Saline minerality and tension reflect its proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
- 96 points: Wine Enthusiast
The grapes were hand-harvested at optimal ripeness. They were then hand-sorted and destemmed. We cold-soaked the grapes for 3 days to extract color, after which fermentation began spontaneously. Daily pump-overs and punch-downs were performed for cap management. When the fermentation was dry, the grapes were pressed and put into 30% new French oak barrels plus 70% neutral barrels to age. The wine was racked 5 months after harvest to assemble the cuvee, then returned to barrel for another 12 months. We bottled this wine in June of 2023, unfined and unfiltered.
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
| Appellation | Santa Maria Valley |
| Vineyard | Solomon Hills |
| Designation | Solomon Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir |
| Harvest Date | 09/22/2023 |
| Aging | 17 months, 30% new French oak |
| Alcohol | 14.00% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 03/05/2025 |
| Cases Produced | 121 |
| Country of Origin | UNITED STATES |
| State of Origin | California |
