The Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir is aged 11 months in neutral French oak and stainless steel before being bottled in the spring following harvest. Grapes are sourced from Santa Maria, the estate vineyards, and select sites in Los Alamos. This wine is notable for its soaring spice character, offering intriguing notes of Chinese five spice, sandalwood, and a minty freshness that lends it an air of elegance. Medium-bodied, it features crunchy cherry fruit and vibrant blood orange acidity, with its fragrant profile seamlessly filling the mid-palate. The finish is long and layered with wet slate and clove nuances. Presqu'ile Winery, established in 2008 by the Murphy family, continues to excel under the direction of winemaker Dieter Cronje, who has been with the winery since its inception.

The 2023 Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County) is another fine appellation-level offering from Presqu'ile. Sweet red cherry, cedar, tobacco, dried flowers and herbs all grace this mid-weight yet juicy Pinot. This floral, savory red is all charm. - By Antonio Galloni on July 2024