 "In
a secluded canyon less than twenty miles from the Pacific Ocean, along
the Santa Maria Bench, down a narrow cut framed by rocky cliffs, is our
North Canyon Vineyard. It’s a box canyon that runs north to south with
the Cuyama River cutting through the middle dividing Santa Barbara and
San Luis Obispo counties. The surrounding hills rise to 1,000 feet,
catching the cool ocean breezes in the afternoon. Pinot Noir of great
character is possible here, where the growing season is mild and the
soil is meager. The vineyard’s soils are primarily clay loam and some
shale, though each TAZ block varies, so that the vines have to struggle
and fight to gain flavor. The reward from all of that is a soft, pretty
Pinot Noir with brightness and character immediately recognizable as
Santa Barbara. The 2005 growing season was ideal. There were no heat
spikes, and moderate temperatures allowed the fruit to remain on the
vine until it achieved both flavor and sugar ripeness. The lots for
this wine were fermented separately and aged for ten months in French
oak barrels (36% new). To me, Cuyama River Pinot Noir is soft and
feminine, a wine that I like to sip. I find that it has delicate floral
aromas followed by layers of cinnamon, cherry and raspberry." --
Natasha Boffman, Winemaker
 Purchase from our partner
 |
