Sanford 2022 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Santa Rita Hills

Sanford 2022 Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir is a refined and terroir-driven expression from one of California’s most historic Pinot Noir vineyards. Elegant yet structured, it showcases vibrant red fruit, floral aromatics, and the mineral energy that defines the cool coastal Sta. Rita Hills. Silky in texture with remarkable balance, the wine captures the pedigree of the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard and stands as one of the benchmark Pinot Noirs from Santa Barbara County.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Sanford Winery is one of the pioneering producers of Pinot Noir in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County, a cool maritime region known for its ideal Pinot-growing conditions. The appellation benefits from Pacific Ocean breezes that funnel through the east-west mountain range, creating long, cool growing seasons that preserve acidity and aromatic complexity.

The Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, originally planted in 1971, is one of the foundational vineyards that helped establish the region’s reputation for world-class Pinot Noir. Old vines rooted in sandy, marine-derived soils produce fruit with distinctive minerality and layered complexity.

For the 2022 vintage, the grapes were carefully fermented and aged approximately 16 months in French oak barrels, about 27% new oak, allowing the wine to develop depth and structure while maintaining purity of fruit.

The result is a classic Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir: vibrant, precise, and capable of aging gracefully for well over a decade.

Critics Reviews

• Jeb Dunnuck – 95 Points
  Dunnuck praises the wine’s “beautiful nose of framboise, redcurrant, chalky minerality, smoked earth and dried flowers,” noting its seamless texture and excellent aging potential of 10–15 years.

• Robert Parker - 94 Points
  "The 2022 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is a beautiful cross-section of the vineyard, including around one-third of the original plantings. It leads with a quintessential nose of black cherries, dark dried spices, citrus peels and sous-bois that is both poised and energetic. The palate is silky and lifted while supported with a robust power that extends through the rich, fragrant, focused finish. In contrast to the more punchy single-block bottlings, this exudes a lovely, even-keeled nature."

These high scores reflects the vineyard’s reputation as one of California’s most respected sources for Pinot Noir.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Fragrant aromas of raspberry, redcurrant, dried flowers, and smoked earth, layered with subtle chalky minerality.

Palate:
Medium-bodied and beautifully balanced with black cherry, mandarin citrus, white pepper, and mineral tension, supported by silky tannins.

Finish:
Long and refined with lingering red berry fruit, floral tones, and subtle savory spice.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

This Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with:

• Roast duck or duck confit

• Herb-roasted chicken

• Mushroom risotto or truffle dishes

• Grilled salmon or tuna

• Soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert