Racines Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard

Founded through a partnership between Étienne de Montille, Brian Sieve, and Rodolphe Péters, Racines combines Burgundian tradition with California's most distinctive cool-climate vineyards. Their philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention, whole-cluster fermentation, restrained oak, and patient élevage, producing wines that prioritize vineyard expression above all else.

The 2021 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir is sourced from three carefully selected parcels within one of California's most historic Pinot Noir vineyards. Two parcels planted during the 1970s and 1980s provide depth and concentration, while Block 13, planted on its own roots in 1971, contributes perfume and elegance. Fermented with more than two-thirds whole clusters and aged for 19 months in 30% new French oak, the wine displays remarkable aromatic complexity without sacrificing freshness.

The bouquet offers wild cherry, blood orange, rose petal, black tea, crushed stone, and forest floor, while the palate combines silky texture with vibrant coastal acidity and persistent mineral tension. The modest 13.0% alcohol underscores the team's commitment to balance over weight, resulting in a Pinot Noir that feels more akin to the Côte de Beaune than the richer styles often associated with California.