2011 The Hilt The Vanguard Pinot Noir

The Hilt located in the Sta. Rita Hills is part of a small portfolio of boutique wineries owned by E. Stanley Kroenke, an entrepreneur who owns numerous professional sports teams. He also owns Screaming Eagle and Jonata wineries. The Hilt’s debut vintage was 2008 and it makes three styles of wines: The Old Guard, The Vanguard and Estate. Winemaker is Matt Dees, who also makes wine for Jonata. The Old Guard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are “stylistically elegant” and “balanced,” according to the estate. Vanguard wines are “lusher, fleshy, and fruit-driven,” the estate notes. Estate wines are “approachable,” the estate says. The Hilt wines have earned high compliments from reviewers, who typically give the wines ratings in the low to mid-90s.

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.