2020 Melville 'Sandy's Block' Pinot Noir

Melville is a family-owned, 100% estate, organic vineyard and winery in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County. They produce Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and a small amount of Grenache. All their wines, from the flagship Estate Pinot Noir to the Small Lot Collection Donna's Block Syrah, are hand-grown and hand-made 100 cases at a time.

Their founder Ron Melville carefully selected the location of the estate for its proximity to the Pacific Ocean as well as the soil composition - predominantly sandy loam and diatomaceous earth with sections of clay. You can be too close to the ocean and struggle with getting fruit ripe, and you can also be further away and struggle with temperatures that are too hot...Melville is in the sweet spot.

The Melville's have been practicing responsible farming for over three decades, and since 1997 in the Sta. Rita Hills when brothers Chad and Brent Melville planted the estate vineyards (before the AVA was formally established). They take great pride in their commitment to "winegrowing"…working in harmony with Mother Nature to nurture their land through organic and sustainable farming practices to ensure that all of the most crucial work is done in the vineyard.

Robert Parker | 95pts

Jeb Dunnuck | 94 pts

Wine Enthusiast | 92 pts