Radian Vineyard Pinot Noir
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5–12 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
roasted duck, creamy mushroom risotto, grilled salmon
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Sourced from the dramatic and rugged Radian Vineyard, located at the extreme western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, this Pinot Noir is a testament to viticulture on the edge of the continent. Often described as a 'moonscape' due to its steep, exposed ridges and white, diatomaceous soils rich in marine fossils, Radian is constantly battered by fierce, chilling winds from the nearby Pacific Ocean. This harsh, cold environment forces the vines to struggle, resulting in tiny berries with thick skins. Dominion Tantara captures this intense terroir through traditional, low-intervention winemaking, utilizing open-top fermenters and aging in select French oak barrels. The resulting wine is renowned for its dark fruit profile, vibrant, structural acidity, and a distinct, wild herbaceousness and mineral salinity that reflects its coastal origin.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1997 by Bill Cates, Dominion Tantara is a distinguished boutique winery located in the Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County, California. The winery is dedicated to producing exceptional, site-specific wines, sourcing fruit from some of the Central Coast's most prestigious vineyards, including Bentrock, Dierberg, and La Encantada. Emphasizing traditional French winemaking methods and minimal intervention, Dominion Tantara specializes in elegant, terroir-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. Their acclaimed single-vineyard and reserve bottlings, such as the Cuvee Jeannette and Evelyn Pinot Noirs, are highly regarded for their sophistication, balance, and aging potential.