2022 Deovlet - Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict (750ml)

Ryan Deovlet built his winery on an unconventional path, leaving behind a shot at professional baseball to pursue farming and winemaking, first through a WWOOF placement in Australia and later under mentors including Stephen Dooley, David Ramey at Red Car Winery, and Paul Hobbs in Argentina. He eventually approached Sta. Rita Hills pioneer Richard Sanford directly, asking to buy fruit from his storied vineyard. That relationship grew into Deovlet's signature bottling, made in a restrained, low-intervention style alongside assistant winemaker Grace Kegel, with an emphasis on letting each vineyard's character come through rather than imposing a heavy winemaking hand.

Sanford & Benedict Vineyard was planted in 1971 in the Santa Rita Hills, a transverse valley that funnels cool Pacific air deep inland, making it one of California's most acclaimed sites for Pinot Noir. The old vines grow across shale, clay, and fragmented chert soils that lend the fruit its signature minerality. Grapes are hand-harvested from several distinct blocks, fermented partly with whole clusters, and aged in a mix of French oak barrels, only a modest portion new, to preserve freshness and site expression.

The wine opens with red and purple fruit, dried rose petal, lavender, and warm spice, layered over savory, earthy undertones. The palate is silky yet structured, with fine-grained tannins and bright acidity leading to a long, mineral finish. Pair it with seared duck breast, herb-crusted lamb, or aged gouda.