Lompoc Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

Sommelier Rajat Parr and winemaker Sashi Moorman are responsible for some of the Central Coast's most interesting and tasty wines, separately and together. (The duo have also partnered on the Domaine de la Côte label and Sandhi Wines projects.) The started Lompoc Wine Company in 2012 with the goal of producing "an authentic and accessible wine that faithfully represents the unique and ideal qualities of southern Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir," says the winery. The wine blends fruit from the Sanford & Benedict, Rita's Crown and Bentrock vineyards. The winery describes the wine as having been "harvested at optimum ripeness levels to achieve a finished wine that balances agilely on its dark fruit aromas and broad, silky and savory tannins, this wine was produced from 100% destemmed grapes and gently fermented before being aged for 11 months in neutral barrels. No fining or filtration was necessary.