Alma Rosa founder Richard Sanford was the first to plant Pinot Noir in what is today known as the Sta. Rita Hills appellation of North Santa Barbara County. Their wines reflect the beauty and complexity of this special cool climate wine growing region.
A mission focusing on continuous improvements in the vineyard and in the cellar, favoring sustainable farming and minimal inputs in the winemaking process to express a special terroir. Though most of their wines are from El Jabali Estate, they also make wines from select vineyards along the southern corridor of the Sta. Rita Hills to showcase the differences in micro-climates and soils identified by Richard Sanford back in 1971.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.
Alma Rosa Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
is a delicious and exciting wine that was born of two of Richard’s organically farmed Pinot Noir vineyards, the La Encantada and El Jabalí vineyards. These two vineyard sources provide grapes for Alma Rosa’s more expensive single vineyard Pinots. Combining these marvelous expressions of both vineyards affords a delightful and budget friendly wine experience.
TASTING NOTES:
Medium-bodied refreshingly layered flavors despite its broody aromatics, and unfurls impressively over time in the glass, offering structural harmony, intoxicating perfume and length. On the palate, black currants, plum and tobacco combined with chalky tannins and minerality lead to a long and complex finish. This wine is lush and powerfully complex, while still displaying the hallmark freshness of Sta. Rita Hills.
About the Winemaker
" Born and raised in war-torn Bosnia, winemaker Samra Morris says that she still pinches herself every day that she gets to make wine in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Prior to joining Alma Rosa, Samra’s most impactful tutelage included working three harvests with one of Napa’s most respected consulting winemakers, Thomas Rivers Brown. Through this experience she came to appreciate site-specific farming, high-touch viticulture, and thoughtful cellar management. In 2019, Samra was recruited as assistant winemaker at Alma Rosa Winery in Santa Barbara County and was quickly promoted to winemaker in 2020. Since taking the reins as Alma Rosa’s winemaker, she has been recognized by critics for producing wines from the Sta. Rita Hills that offer a striking combination of energy and texture."