2024 Liquid Farm - Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Radian Vineyard (750ml)

Liquid Farm was founded in 2009 by Nikki and Jeff Nelson, built around the idea that great wine begins in the vineyard rather than the cellar. The name itself, a play on the concept of wine as liquid drawn from farming, reflects the winery's commitment to letting site and variety speak for themselves through minimal intervention. Winemaker James Sparks carries that philosophy forward today, favoring precise, patient vineyard work over heavy handed cellar technique, an approach that has made Liquid Farm one of the more thoughtful producers working in the Sta. Rita Hills.

Radian Vineyard sits at the southwestern edge of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, one of the westernmost sites along Santa Rosa Road, where cold nights and near-constant marine influence create ideal conditions for structured, expressive Pinot Noir. The soils here are notably rich in diatomaceous earth, a pure silica deposit that lends the wine its piercing acidity and pronounced mineral edge. Yields are kept exceptionally low, and the wine is aged around fifteen months in French oak with a small percentage of new barrels and a touch of whole cluster inclusion, building structure while preserving the site's natural tension.

The wine opens with black cherry, raspberry, and cranberry, joined by rose petal, citrus peel, and notes of forest floor and baking spice. The palate is concentrated yet fresh, with fine tannins, bright acidity, and a long mineral finish. It pairs well with grilled quail, braised short ribs, or a simple herb-crusted pork loin.