2023 Brewer Clifton - Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills

The 2023 Brewer Clifton Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills showcases the appellation’s signature balance of bright acidity and expressive fruit, drawn from four distinct Sta. Rita Hills sites—3D, Machado, Hapgood, and Perilune. Brewer Clifton’s approach centers on vineyard expression with minimal winemaker interference, producing an appellation-level bottling that’s built to reveal each vineyard’s imprint. The wine is fermented and aged separately by site before blending, and it emphasizes a high percentage of whole cluster fermentation, left mostly undestemmed, then aged entirely in neutral oak so that the fruit and stems, rather than oak, define the wine’s character. The maritime-influenced climate and varied soils come through clearly in the glass.

Vinification and terroir

• Origin: Sta. Rita Hills (Santa Barbara County), an appellation famed for its east–west orientation and transverse valleys that shape structure and brightness in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
• Sites used: 3D, Machado, Hapgood, Perilune — each fermented and aged separately before blending
• Fermentation and aging: high percentage of whole cluster fermentation; left mostly undestemmed; aged entirely in neutral oak barrels to let fruit and stems define the wine

Aroma, flavor, and finish

• Aromas: pomegranate, white tea, and raspberry
• Palate: dried fig, white truffle, and ripe cherry
• Finish: a savory, rooibos-like quality that carries through the palate
• Structure: bright acidity paired with fine tannins, keeping the wine lifted and food-friendly

Food pairing

• Grilled branzino
• A wild mushroom galette
• Fresh burrata