# The Ojai Vineyard Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County (2019)

- **Producer:** The Ojai Vineyard
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Pinot Noir
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** red fruit, cherry, berry, black fruit, floral, spice, peppery herbs, mineral, marine, oceanic saltiness, smoky cedar, resinous spice

## About this wine

The Ojai Vineyard Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County 2019 is a 100% Pinot Noir from the Central Coast region of California. Produced by The Ojai Vineyard, founded by Adam Tolmach in 1983, the wine embodies a philosophy of minimal intervention and natural winemaking. Tolmach's approach aims to showcase the unique character of each vineyard site, drawing inspiration from traditional European winemaking. The Santa Barbara County appellation is known for its maritime influence, contributing distinctive mineral and saline notes to the wines. The 2019 vintage benefited from a balanced growing season, characterized by spring rains and a warm summer, which supported the development of complexity in the fruit.

## Interesting facts

- Often the first Ojai Vineyard wine for many, this bottling aims to capture the essence of Santa Barbara.
- The producer emphasizes native yeast fermentations for purity of expression.
- Adam Tolmach has been making wine in Ojai since 1983.
- This wine is noted for its savory character and oceanic saltiness.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium body and bright acidity make it versatile. Its savory notes and red fruit profile complement richer poultry and pork dishes, while its minerality and salinity pair well with seafood. The acidity cuts through the richness of sauces and proteins.

## Wine making process

The Ojai Vineyard Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County 2019 is crafted using a philosophy of minimal intervention. Key techniques include sourcing fruit from various premium vineyards within Santa Barbara County and employing native yeast fermentations. The producer, The Ojai Vineyard, founded by Adam Tolmach, prioritizes allowing the inherent character of the grapes and the vineyard to express themselves in the final wine. While specific details on aging vessels and duration for this vintage are not provided, the general approach avoids excessive fining, racking, and pumping. The goal is to produce natural wines that are a pure reflection of their origin.