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Pinot Noir

Silky with rich fruit

A layered wine with a singularly soft texture and bright character—highly enjoyable and versatile.

Three premier coastal regions of California = a layered, nuanced Pinot Noir.

Each region where grapes are grown for Sea Sun Pinot Noir contributes subtly different qualities to the wine. Monterey County provides lush, fully ripened fruit, while warmer Solano County lends richness and depth, and San Luis Obispo County imparts roundness on the palate. Our sourcing may shift from vintage to vintage, and this flexibility enables us to create the best possible wine in a given year.

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  • Scents

    Cherry
    Light toasted wood
    Dry earth and clove

  • Flavors

    Cherry echoing the nose
    Raspberry

  • Finish

    Evokes feel of milk chocolate
    Plush mouth texture
    Cherry compote
    Wisp of florals

Tasting Notes
  • Pinot Noir grapes Pinot Noir grapes Pinot Noir grapes
  • Coastal grass Coastal grass Coastal grass
  • Sea Sun Pinot Noir on rocks Sea Sun Pinot Noir on rocks Sea Sun Pinot Noir on rocks
  • Sea Sun Pinot Noir on the beach Sea Sun Pinot Noir on the beach Sea Sun Pinot Noir on the beach
  • Sea Sun vineyards and mountains Sea Sun vineyards and mountains Sea Sun vineyards and mountains

Sourced from places where sea & sun reign

Coastal regions of California provide ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir

The “sea”—the Pacific Ocean, with its cooling breezes that can turn into howling gusts of wind. The “sun”—a balancing presence, its warmth shining down day after day. These two forces lead to an extended growing season. Grapes stay on the vine longer to create wines of heightened complexity.

The regions where we source Sea Sun also feature subtle differences, with even a few degrees in temperature or the strength of the wind leaving their mark on the grapes. As a result, Sea Sun wines are layered with aromas and flavors, holding broad appeal for a wide range of palates.

SOLANO COUNTY

This lesser-known region bears the incredible influence of San Francisco Bay

Only a 30-minute drive southeast of Napa, Solano County is home to the hidden gem of Suisun Valley. With its pastoral landscape and mutli-generational family farmers, this small but exceptional wine region reminds us of Napa Valley in the 1960s. It shares a similar maritime climate with its more famous neighbor, shaped by proximity to San Francisco Bay.

Suisun Valley—within broader Solano County—is the warmest of the four regions where we source grapes for our Sea Sun Wines (and what we call wind here is just a gentle breeze in Monterey). Harvest occurs earliest in Solano, and the grapes from this region lend a special richness to both our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

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image description San Jose San Francisco Sacramento Napa Valley Suisun Valley San Jose San Francisco Sacramento Napa Valley Suisun Valley

MONTEREY COUNTY

Rugged beauty and dramatic weather create ideal growing conditions

Monterey County has a singular character—one that enhances both of our Sea Sun wines. Foggy mornings give way to bright sunshine, tempered by afternoon wind blowing off of Monterey Bay. This weather pattern (with gusts that can slam a car door closed or bend the limbs of a tree) translates to vibrant natural acidity and intense layers of aromas and flavors.

We love to drive down the roads of this untamed landscape, where vineyards lie close to row crops. This county is home to one of America’s true farming communities, a place that has inspired novelists and winemakers alike.

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image description San Luis Obispo Santa Cruz Big Sur Paso Robles Monterey San Luis Obispo Santa Cruz Big Sur Paso Robles Monterey

San Luis Obispo County

Gorgeous ocean views—and the taste of oceanic influence

Few regions show off the California Coast as much as this diverse stretch of land, which encompasses 80 miles of Highway 1. In addition to beaches, majestic views, seaside towns and historic landmarks, this is a place for serious winemaking, with the Pacific Ocean a defining presence.

The growing season here is among the longest in the world, as grapes ripen during sun-soaked afternoons followed by cooling nights, developing slowly until they reveal their ultimate character. For Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this unhurried rhythm gives rise to subtlety and complexity in the glass.

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“It’s impossible to ever finish exploring California. There are so many back roads to venture down, you could never get bored. Around a turn, you always see something new. It’s a beautiful sight and beautiful place. I like to think California can be found in a glass.”

- Winemaker Charlie Wagner

The Wagner family has deep roots in Napa Valley dating back to the 1850s. They have never stopped pursuing new ideas and exploring California. Today they are proud to offer a diverse range of wines.

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