2008 A.P. Vin Clos Pepe Pinot Noir (Screwcap)

A.P. Vin was started in 2003 by Andrew P. Vingiello. Although he worked in the financial world, Vingiello was drawn to Pinot Noir, and he started working for a Pinot Noir producer in his off hours. Vingiello started producing his own small batches of wine in 2003, and in 2005 quit his job as a stock trader to devote himself full time to winemaking. Today A.P. Vin produces about 2,000 cases of wine a year sourced from designated vineyards. Vinous has given the wines ratings in the 90s and has written that the estate’s “wines are delicious and show considerable potential.”

Santa Rita Hills AVA in northern Santa Barbara County was granted appellation status in 2001. Located between the towns of Lompoc and Buellton, it has a total area of 30,720 acres with 2,700 vineyard acres. The area is considered a cool climate for vineyards, so vineyards are most often planted with the cool-weather grapes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The hills in the western part of this appellation are directly exposed to the Pacific Ocean, meaning that maritime winds and fog make the western edge of the Santa Rita Hills AVA particularly cool. The Sanford & Benedict Vineyard planted in 1971 was the first vineyard in the district and is still considered one of the best.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.