2016 Chanin Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir

Chanin Wine Co. was started in 2007 by Gavin Chanin, who had been an assistant winemaker at Au Bon Climat and Qupé. Chanin makes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Reviewers have been impressed. Vinous wrote that Chanin producers “stellar wines…. the Pinots rise to the realm of the sublime.” Chanin’s grapes are sourced from Santa Barbara County and Sta. Rita Hills. A former art student at UCLA, Chanin's paintings are depicted on his labels.

Santa Rita Hills AVA in northern Santa Barbara County was granted appellation status in 2001. Located between the towns of Lompoc and Buellton, it has a total area of 30,720 acres with 2,700 vineyard acres. The area is considered a cool climate for vineyards, so vineyards are most often planted with the cool-weather grapes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The hills in the western part of this appellation are directly exposed to the Pacific Ocean, meaning that maritime winds and fog make the western edge of the Santa Rita Hills AVA particularly cool. The Sanford & Benedict Vineyard planted in 1971 was the first vineyard in the district and is still considered one of the best.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.