2023 Sea Smoke 'Southing' Pinot Noir

Aromas of fresh strawberry, Rainier cherry, and damp forest floor integrate with savory notes of clove and wild fennel. The palate is medium-bodied and polished, featuring a core of juicy red currant and baking spices. It displays fine-grained tannins and a racy, cool-climate acidity that leads to a long finish marked by a distinct saline minerality and a persistent hint of violets.

The winemaking team utilizes 100% estate Pinot Noir. The fruit undergoes a five-day cold soak in open-top fermenters before fermentation with manual punch-downs. The wine ages for 16 months in French oak barrels, 42% new, and is bottled without fining or filtration to preserve its natural structure.

The fruit is grown on the south-facing hillsides of the Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County, California. The site is defined by clay loam soils and heavy evening fog from the Pacific Ocean, which slows ripening and maintains high natural acidity. The estate is farmed using certified biodynamic practices.