Clos Pepe Estate at St.Rita Hills

One of the most educational and delightful wine tastings I've experienced. Clos Pepe is a small family-owned vineyard and winery set in the heart of the Santa Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County, California. With main focus on Pinot Noir, Clos Pepe makes about 800 cases of Estate Pinot Noir each year, and about 100 cases of Chablis-style Chardonnay that is aged without the use of any new oak. Their Pinot is very light yet complex and fragrant with lingering aftertaste. Vineyard manager—Wes Hagen delivers superb tour of the vineyard covering subjects ranging from the geology of the St.Rita Hills to the reproduction of grapes. Tasting itself would not disappoint you either. My personal favorite is their 2007 Pinot, although some of my friends preferred 2006 as more earthy and mature wine.