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Sea Smoke Santa Rita Hills 'Southing' Pinot Noir 2023
  • Sea Smoke Santa Rita Hills 'Southing' Pinot Noir 2023
Sea Smoke Santa Rita Hills 'Southing' Pinot Noir 2023

Sea Smoke

Sea Smoke Santa Rita Hills 'Southing' Pinot Noir 2023

$195.00

Southing is crafted from south-facing blocks on our estate vineyard, where Pinot Noir benefits from ideal exposure and cooling maritime influence. Grapes were hand-harvested, sorted in the vineyard, and chilled overnight. The next day, clusters were gently destemmed, with all “jack stems” meticulously removed. After a five-day cold soak in open-top fermenters, a slow fermentation with cultured yeasts began, with manual punch-downs twice daily.

Maceration lasted 14 to 18 days. Free-run wine settled in tank, and the must was gently pressed to avoid bitterness. Both fractions were racked after settling. Southing was bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve its natural structure and site expression.

Vintage: 2023

ABV: 14.7%

Oak Profile: French oak (42% new)

pH: 3.58

Acidity: 5.5 g/L

Winemaker: Don Schroder
Tasting Notes

Southing reflects the purity and nuance of the Sea Smoke estate, balancing complexity with elegance. Aromas of fresh currant, white cherry, and subtle strawberry intertwine with hints of rose petal, dried fruit, fennel, anise, clove, and nutmeg. Fine tannins and vibrant minerality are lifted by bright, cool-climate acidity. Layers of plum and cedar add depth to the wine’s long, graceful finish, making Southing a compelling expression of site and vintage.
Vineyard Notes

Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard occupies a singular position within one of the rare east-west coastal mountain ranges in North America. Unlike the typical north-south orientation of western mountain systems, the transverse range of California creates a unique geographic corridor. Through it, the Santa Ynez River canyon channels cool Pacific air inland each afternoon, delivering a daily wave of marine fog that rolls over the Sta. Rita Hills—an essential ingredient in the character of our wines.


Our estate vineyard is perched on south-facing hillside bluffs, ranging from 350 to 750 feet in elevation. These blocks receive generous sunlight, crucial for flavor and tannins development, yet the afternoon fog provides critical balance—slowing ripening, enhancing phenolic complexity, and preserving the vibrant acidity that defines Sea Smoke’s style.

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