The Hilt 2021 Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills

From the same proprietors as Jonata, The Hilt was founded in 2008 as a separate winery focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Santa Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley. In 2014, the Rancho Salsipuedes estate was purchased and a new, permanent home for The Hilt was found. Outside of Salsipuedes, The Hilt also sources old-vine fruit from the marled soils of Sanford and Benedict and the loamy sandy soils of Solomon Hills in the Santa Maria Valley.

Winemaker Matt Dees is very much in charge of the entire process, from vine to bottle. He's passionate about the rugged terrains and an enthusiast of the art of blending. As of 2014, he abolished the use of herbicides and pesticides in Rancho Salsipuedes and established his own farming parameters for the vineyards. 

The Pinot Noir is sourced from the most unique terroir of the Sta Rita Hills, the North-facing slope of the Santa Rosa road corridor. This hallowed ground, from west to east, includes some of the most important vineyards of the appellation: Radian, Bentrock, Rancho la Vina, Encantada, Rinconada, and Sanford and Benedict. The vines age ranges between 8 and 44 years old and grows predominately on Diatomatious earth and loamy sand. Once harvested, the wine is cold-soaked for an average of 3 days and fermented 15% whole-cluster. It then ages for 10 months in 228L French Oak barrels, approximately 30% new, 70% neutral.