Cordon Wines – Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir

The History

Etienne Terlinden – Winemaker & Owner

Etienne’s passion for wine was rooted in his grandfather’s wine cellar at the family’s chateau near Brussels in Belgium while his winemaking talents came to life in Santa Barbara County where he became interested in the area’s unique microclimates and ability to produce wines with distinct character.  Etienne handcrafts small batches of exceptional wines, each varietal expressing a very certain old world sensibility. Etienne is also Executive Winemaker for Summerland Winery and consulting winemaker to a dozen or so others in the Santa Barbara area.

The Grape

100% PINOT NOIR

Tasting Note

This Pinot Noir was born in the Santa Rita Hills AVA on the west side of the Santa Ynez Valley where the rolling, windswept hills and foggy marine layer create a perfect cool-climate environment for successfully stressing Pinot Noir vines. Hand-harvested, handcrafted and aged in French oak, 40% of which was new, this vintage is complex and elegant showing great structural balance and a nuanced foundation of fruit touched by savory notes.  It’s signature Santa Rita Hills and that’s a very good thing!

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