Sandhi Jalama Canyon Ranch Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County 2021

Sandhi, which is Sanskrit for 'collaboration,' is a small production California winery that focuses on select vineyards from the Sta. Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County. It was founded in 2010 by the proprietors of Domaine de la Côte and Evening Land - Master Sommelier Rajat Parr and winemaker Sashi Moorman. The goal behind the Sandhi portfolio is to show how essential the collaboration between man, earth, and the vine is to the production of wine. Raj and Shashi both believe that "the willing participation of all three elements is necessary to make great wine, and the winegrower must make this collaboration rich and nourishing for all involved." Understanding these joint efforts informs Sandhi's exploration of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines throughout the Santa Barbara County terroir.

The vineyards with which Raj and Sashi work–some legendary, some new–are exhaustively vetted for character, personality, and balance. Each vineyard brings a unique aspect to the wine and together helps produce a stunning representation of Santa Barbara County. This area is one of the best-growing regions for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It is a cool climate region with just enough heat accumulation to ripen, but not over ripen, wine grapes, and where the quality might equal the best in Europe.  This 100% Pinot Noir was sourced from the Jalama Canyon Ranch Vineyard, which is regeneratively farmed by the White Buffalo Land Trust.  Sandhi is the only producer to purchase fruit from Jalama Canyon and Raj & Sashi work alongside the White Buffalo Trust to further their sustainability efforts in the vineyard.

Aged for eight months in neutral barrels after undergoing native fermentation in concrete vessels, this wine is 100% Pinot Noir.  "It is the perfect intertwining of fruit and earth - the nose shares notes of blackberry, cowboy sage, and fall foliage. Fresh raspberries and delicate lilac are complemented by soft, elegant tannins on the palate." ~ Sandhi Tasting Notes