As I have been gathering information for our wholesalers on the upcoming release of the 09 Santa Barbara Winery Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills, I again am reminded and proud of the pioneering efforts of our winemaker Bruce McGuire for Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County. I sat down with Bruce yesterday to get a little bit more background on the history of Pinot Noir at Santa Barbara Winery and Lafond Vineyard. Our first Pinot Noir was planted at Lafond Vineyard in 1982, Martin Ray Clone. This was after Bruce came on board as winemaker in 1981 and forecasted that Pinot Noir would be an excellent varietal to plant in the cool western Santa Ynez Valley, what is now the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. 1986 marked the first vintage of production of Santa Barbara Winery Pinot Noir. One block remains at Lafond Vineyard of the original Martin Ray clone planting, it represents a portion of the 09 Pinot from 27 year old vines.
Look at what Pinot Noir has become today. It is the shining star of the Sta. Rita Hills, garnering press, accolades, and enthusiasm as a world class varietal terroir marriage. Aside from the Pinot we have planted at Lafond, we have additional 13 acres that we farm and manage across the road at Arita Hills Vineyard. Recently we leased an additional 37 acres from Burning Creek Ranch Vineyard, also a stone’s throw from Lafond on Santa Rosa Road. This was planted to 8 clones, further demonstrating our dedication to the Pinot Noir program, and will come online in 2011.
Joanie Hudson, Director of National and International Marketing, Santa Barbara Winery / Lafond Winery & Vineyards
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