2006 Bonaccorsi Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir

Bonaccorsi Winery and Vineyards is in Buelton, in California’s Central Coast region. It was founded in 1999 by Michael and Jenne Lee Bonaccorsi. Michael was a Master Sommelier and his wife Jenne Lee was a restaurant industry executive. Michael died in 2004 but Jenne Lee continues to run the winery. Grapes for Bonaccorsi wines come from vineyards in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. The estate makes single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah.

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.