2018/2019 Racines Pinot Noir "Santa Rita Hills Cuvée", California, USA

ABOUT THE WINE

Sourced from a blend of organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards across the Sta. Rita Hills AVA—including La Encantada, Bentrock, and Domaine de la Côte—this cuvée represents a focused expression of the region’s cool, maritime climate and marine sedimentary soils. The 2018 vintage was long and temperate, allowing for slow phenolic development and optimal balance.

Hand-harvested fruit underwent whole-cluster fermentation with native yeasts, followed by gentle extraction and aging in neutral French oak for 18 months. The result is a wine of clarity and restraint, echoing a Burgundian sensibility while remaining rooted in Californian terroir. Aromatically complex with savory and floral layers, it offers vibrant acidity and delicate tannins—making it an ideal match for dishes like duck breast with cherry reduction, wild mushroom risotto, or grilled salmon with miso glaze.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Racines is a collaboration between French and American winemaking talent—led by Etienne de Montille (Burgundy) and Rodolphe Péters (Champagne), alongside Justin Willett of Tyler Winery. Their shared vision: to craft wines of transparency, finesse, and place, with an uncompromising approach rooted in traditional Burgundian techniques. Based in the Sta. Rita Hills, Racines works with top vineyard sites farmed organically or biodynamically, emphasizing minimal intervention in the cellar to let terroir speak clearly. The result is a portfolio of wines that are elegant, age-worthy, and deeply expressive of coastal California’s most compelling Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards.