TASTING NOTES

Three of France’s greatest winemakers came together to create a project in California, though why in the heck would this interest them? It turns out that even being a French winemaker is unexpectedly limiting, particularly when local wine laws prohibit creativity. Domaine Montille partners Étienne de Montille with Brian Sieve in Burgundy and Rodolphe Peters of Pierre Peters in Champagne set their sights on the maritime region of Santa Rita Hills, and ultimately partnered up with Santa Barbara winemaker/native Justin Willet of Tyler Winery. The proximity to the ocean keeps the vines cool and the various marine soil types make hauntingly beautiful wines. This project really is the best of the winemaking minds of France coupled with the best sites the New World has to offer–a perfect place to make Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wine.

This Pinot Noir fruit comes from three parcels out of the famed Sanford & Benedict vineyard. The juice sees a bit of whole cluster fermentation, giving the wine more texture and ageability. The wine aged in barrels for 18 months, 40% of which are new barrels.

About Sanford Winery

In 1971 Sanford Winery and Vineyards discovered an overlooked, grape-growing treasure in the Sta. Rita Hills. Recognizing a magical combination of climate and soil conditions much like those in France’s famed Burgundy province, Sanford planted the area’s first Pinot Noir in its Sanford & Benedict vineyard.

Pinot Noir has thrived in the Sta. Rita Hills ever since, and so has Sanford Winery. The pioneering winery’s Pinot Noir ranks among the best and most distinctive in the world. And Sanford’s leadership helped put Santa Barbara and the Sta. Rita Hills on the map of the world’s great wine regions. Certified as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2001, today the area is renowned for its Chardonnay as well as Pinot Noir