Region: Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, California

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Tasting notes: Black raspberry and underripe boysenberry meet with dark gravel on the very focused and dark nose of this single-vineyard estate expression. Dark strawberry and plum flavors are lifted by a strong floral kick. Patience has been rewarded here with all components working seamlessly together at this stage of the wine’s development. Lush, velvety and delicious!

Producer: In 1996, with forty years of winemaking experience, Jim and Mary Dierberg’s dream of producing wines worthy of their 250 year plan became a reality. After a long search through France and Napa, while learning the craft and making wine in the mid-west, they discovered the potential of Santa Barbara’s cool coastal valleys. The family planted two estates -first their namesake Dierberg Vineyard and later Drum Canyon Vineyard – both under their DIERBERG label. These estates, along with the family’s iconic warm climate site Star Lane Vineyard, culminated in a trio of peerless properties in Santa Barbara County. Jim and Mary are no newcomers to wine. Since 1974, they’ve owned the Hermannhof Winery in Hermann, Missouri, which was one of the United States’ most significant wine-growing regions prior to Prohibition. Located about an hour’s drive west of St. Louis, Hermannhof is one of America’s oldest wineries. Today, the entire operation is one big family affair, with the Dierbergs’ grown children and their spouses intimately involved in the day-to-day operations of the vineyard and winery.

Vineyard and Winemaking: Situated in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills along Highway 246 between Lompoc and Buellton in Santa Barbara County, Drum Canyon Vineyard possesses steep hillsides climbing more than 400 feet above the Dierberg tasting room. Planted in 2003, the challenging terrain with persistent, steady winds rolling through the canyon produce an environment that highlights expressive California Pinot Noir perfume while retaining density and structure. Contrasting the Dierberg Vineyard’s earthy tones, the unique vine stress at Drum Canyon produces wines that reflect the intensity and signature acidity of Sta. Rita Hills AVA.