2011 Pali Huntington Pinot Noir (Screwcap)

Pali Wine Co. gets its name from the hometown of the founders, Pacific Palisades, an elegant suburb in the hills above Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Tim Perr and Scott Knight wanted to make artisanal Pinot Noir, and in 2005 they began producing wine in rented space in Lompoc. In 2007 they built a new facility in Lompoc, and today they produce about 20,000 cases a year, primarily Pinot Noir with some Chardonnay. Aaron Walker is winemaker and grapes are sourced from Santa Barbara County and Sonoma County. The wines are sometimes named for beaches off the southern and central California Coast, such as Huntington Point and Riviera Point.

Santa Barbara County is not an AVA, but a region just south of San Luis Obispo that includes the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley appellations. Wine has been produced in the area since the 18th century when Spanish missionaries planted vineyards. It wasn’t until the 1990s, however, that producers focused on growing premier grapes for fine wines. During the 1990s more than 10,000 acres of vineyards were planted, and today there are nearly 20,000 acres of vineyards. The region received a big bump in recognition and prestige when the popular film “Sideways” was shot there in 2004. Because the region is affected by maritime weather, it is relatively cool climate makes it ideal for Chardonnay. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and an increasingly adventuresome number of varietals are also grown successfully in Santa Barbara County.

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.