Sea Smoke 2023 Southing Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills

The 2023 “Southing” is a beautifully poised Pinot Noir—combining vivid red berry fruit, floral lift, and coastal minerality into a wine that feels both expressive and elegant. Versatile enough to enjoy in the near-term, yet structured with enough finesse to age gracefully.

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Origins & Craftsmanship

Produced entirely from the Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills AVA, this wine reflects a cool-climate site influenced by Pacific breezes and well-drained soils. The 2023 vintage was hand-harvested, gently destemmed, and fermented with care to preserve varietal purity and site character. Careful barrel work—typically French oak with a portion new—provides structure without obscuring the fruit. The result is a wine focused on clarity, site expression, and balance.

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Tasting Profile

Nose: Bright and inviting—cranberry, red cherry, and rainier-cherry aromas, intertwined with rose petal, violet, and a subtle herbaceous trace (sage or mint). A faint coastal breeze-like minerality emerges in the background.
Palate: Medium-bodied and lively. Tart raspberry and red currant lead the entry, with hints of pomegranate and wild strawberry rounding the mid-palate. The texture is silky yet firm, with fine-grained tannins and tension from the cool-climate acidity. Oak spice (clove, light cinnamon) and a whisper of forest floor or underbrush add depth.
Finish: Clean and polished. The finish lingers with red-fruit echoes, a touch of saline minerality, and gently drying tannins that keep it refreshing and elegant rather than heavy.

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Quick Overview