Dec 30, 2022
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Sanford Winery
| Owner(s) | Terlato Wine Group |
| Web site | www.sanfordwinery.com |
| Link to this site |
Sanford Sanford Winery was started in 1981 by Richard Sanford, but financial and corporate issues led him to leave the winery a few years ago. Sanford has chosen to expunge all mention of Richard on their website. The focus of Sanford, now owned by the Terlato Wine Group since 2002, still remains Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Terlato invested in the winery and property including equipment upgrades.
The winery has 260 planted acres on distinct properties at Sanford. La Rinconada was planted in 1997 and Sanford & Benedict is the oldest vineyard in the AVA, planted in 1971.
Sanford opened a new tasting room at the La Rinconada Winery and Vineyard at 5010 Santa Rosa Road in Lompoc (open 11-5), and now also has a satellite tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara.
The winemaker and general manager since 2006 was Steve Fennell but Trey Fletcher became the winemaker in 2017.
This is a superb vineyard and Pinots I have had from Sanford & Benedict Vineyard and La Rinconada Vineyard have been outstanding and very age-worthy.
The Sanford wines are sold through the website. 805-688-3300.
Articles About Sanford Winery
Elite California Pinot Noir Vineyards III: Central Coast - Sta. Rita Hills (12.22 9/18/2021)
Pinot Briefs (10.38 9/17/2016)
Small Sips of California Pinot Noir: Just Drink It (7.3 10/1/2008)
Sta. Rita Hills 2013 Wine and Fire (9.32 10/26/2013)
Sta. Rita Hills Wine & Fire (6.33 7/23/2007)
Reviewed Wines
2019 Sanford Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 7,379 cases, $35. 44% Sanford & Benedict Vineyard and
56% La Rinconada Vineyard. A blend of 8 different Pinot Noir selections from several different soil types.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of dark cherry, ripe strawberry, candy apple, spice and graham.
The mid-weight flavors echo the aromas of cherry and spice. Very open and giving with juicy acidity and a
modest but satisfying finish. An excellent everyday wine.
Score: 90.
Reviewed September 19, 2021
ARTICLE »
2018 Sanford Founders’ Vines Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 61 cases, $N/A. The grapes for this
special wine come from the original, own-rooted planting in 1971. A tribute to the pioneering fathers of this
vineyard, Michael Benedict and Richard Sanford. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 28% new.
·
Moderately
light garnet color in the glass. Seductive aromas of red berry, underbrush and tilled earth. Delicious and
complex in a middleweight style, with an array of flavors including red cherry and raspberry, spice, dried herbs
and cocoa. Very intriguing and notably refined with subtle tannins and the longest finish of all the 2018 Sanford
Pinot Noirs. A connoisseur’s Pinot Noir that shows all the glory of old vine Pinot Noir.
Score: 95.
Reviewed September 19, 2021
ARTICLE »
2018 Sanford Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 2,611 cases, $75. Aged
16 months in French oak barrels, 30% new.Composed of 11 clones and represents the best lots of the harvest.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, spice cabinet, and vanilla latte. Somewhat delicate
in a mid-weight style with flavors of red cherry and red berry accompanied by cloying oak. Silky in the mouth
with svelte tannins and a modestly long finish.
Score: 91.
Reviewed September 19, 2021
ARTICLE »
2018 Sanford Block 4D Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 212 cases,
$90. Sourced from a north-facing slope with rocky Botella clay loam soil. First planting of Dijon clone 943. Aged
16 months in French oak barrels, 30% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Reserved but pleasant aromas
of dark cherry and purple berry. A fresh and crisp, fruit-driven style with plenty of black cherry and blackberry
fruits to satisfy. There are added hints of dark chocolate and sweet oak. Nicely balanced, with minimal tannins
and a richly-appointed, purple-fruited finish.
Score: 92.
Reviewed September 19, 2021
ARTICLE »
2018 Sanford Block 6 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 221 cases, $90.
A limited release from a steep, north-facing slope with rocky, calcium rich, clay loam soils. Clone 667. Aged 16
months in French oak barrels, 30% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. The aromas unfold over time in
the glass, revealing cherry, earthy flora and rose petal. Light to mid-weight in style and elegant and silky in
character with a charge of black cherry flavor supported by harmonious tannins and excellent acid-driven
vibrancy. Easygoing and easy to like, with a cherry-imbued finish.
Score: 93.
Reviewed September 19, 2021
ARTICLE »
2014 Sanford Single Block Founders' Vines Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $115.
·
Inviting nose that
exudes wondrous aromas of cherry, raspberry and sous
bois. Beautifully composed, with mid-weight flavors of
fresh cherry, ripe strawberry and purple grape and some
earthiness adding gravitas. Silky on the palate with a mere
shadow of tannins at this stage stout acidity and a hint of
welcome oak. The finish is grand befitting the maturity of
these vines.
Score: 94.
Reviewed August 29, 2020
ARTICLE »
2006 Sanford La Rinconada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $40.
·
Flat out great nose
featuring a showy mixture of cherry, raspberry, oak, baking spice and earthy aromas. Lush spiced red cherry
fruit showing perfect ripeness and excellent length. Silky textured with an endless echo of the scents and fruit
on the finish marred only by a little heat.
Reviewed October 1, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Sanford Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $40.
·
Restrained scents
of black cherries, smoke, minerals and a hint of alcohol. Plentiful, dirt-crusted cherry and black raspberry fruits
embrace the palate. A peculiar chemical taste and a bit of bitterness on the finish ruin the experience.
Disappointing considering the pedigree of this vineyard.
Reviewed October 1, 2008
ARTICLE »
2005 Sanford La Rinconada Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
This is a superb vineyard and Pinots I have had from
here have been outstanding and very age worthy. This wine is no exception. Fabulous aromatics of spice
and bright ripe cherries, meaty flavors of toasty Pinot fruits highlighted with licorice, and a finish that leaves you asking for more. There is a certain pedigree to the fruit here
(the vineyard is adjacent to Sanford & Benedict Vineyard) and this wine
struts a certain charisma that is other worldly.
Reviewed July 23, 2007
ARTICLE »
2019 Sanford Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 7,379 cases, $35. 44% Sanford & Benedict Vineyard and 56% La Rinconada Vineyard. A blend of 8 different Pinot Noir selections from several different soil types. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of dark cherry, ripe strawberry, candy apple, spice and graham. The mid-weight flavors echo the aromas of cherry and spice. Very open and giving with juicy acidity and a modest but satisfying finish. An excellent everyday wine. Score: 90. Reviewed September 19, 2021 ARTICLE »
2018 Sanford Founders’ Vines Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 61 cases, $N/A. The grapes for this special wine come from the original, own-rooted planting in 1971. A tribute to the pioneering fathers of this vineyard, Michael Benedict and Richard Sanford. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 28% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Seductive aromas of red berry, underbrush and tilled earth. Delicious and complex in a middleweight style, with an array of flavors including red cherry and raspberry, spice, dried herbs and cocoa. Very intriguing and notably refined with subtle tannins and the longest finish of all the 2018 Sanford Pinot Noirs. A connoisseur’s Pinot Noir that shows all the glory of old vine Pinot Noir. Score: 95. Reviewed September 19, 2021 ARTICLE »
2018 Sanford Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 2,611 cases, $75. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 30% new.Composed of 11 clones and represents the best lots of the harvest. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, spice cabinet, and vanilla latte. Somewhat delicate in a mid-weight style with flavors of red cherry and red berry accompanied by cloying oak. Silky in the mouth with svelte tannins and a modestly long finish. Score: 91. Reviewed September 19, 2021 ARTICLE »
2018 Sanford Block 4D Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 212 cases, $90. Sourced from a north-facing slope with rocky Botella clay loam soil. First planting of Dijon clone 943. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Reserved but pleasant aromas of dark cherry and purple berry. A fresh and crisp, fruit-driven style with plenty of black cherry and blackberry fruits to satisfy. There are added hints of dark chocolate and sweet oak. Nicely balanced, with minimal tannins and a richly-appointed, purple-fruited finish. Score: 92. Reviewed September 19, 2021 ARTICLE »
2018 Sanford Block 6 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 221 cases, $90. A limited release from a steep, north-facing slope with rocky, calcium rich, clay loam soils. Clone 667. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The aromas unfold over time in the glass, revealing cherry, earthy flora and rose petal. Light to mid-weight in style and elegant and silky in character with a charge of black cherry flavor supported by harmonious tannins and excellent acid-driven vibrancy. Easygoing and easy to like, with a cherry-imbued finish. Score: 93. Reviewed September 19, 2021 ARTICLE »
2014 Sanford Single Block Founders' Vines Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $115. · Inviting nose that exudes wondrous aromas of cherry, raspberry and sous bois. Beautifully composed, with mid-weight flavors of fresh cherry, ripe strawberry and purple grape and some earthiness adding gravitas. Silky on the palate with a mere shadow of tannins at this stage stout acidity and a hint of welcome oak. The finish is grand befitting the maturity of these vines. Score: 94. Reviewed August 29, 2020 ARTICLE »
2006 Sanford La Rinconada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $40. · Flat out great nose featuring a showy mixture of cherry, raspberry, oak, baking spice and earthy aromas. Lush spiced red cherry fruit showing perfect ripeness and excellent length. Silky textured with an endless echo of the scents and fruit on the finish marred only by a little heat. Reviewed October 1, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Sanford Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $40. · Restrained scents of black cherries, smoke, minerals and a hint of alcohol. Plentiful, dirt-crusted cherry and black raspberry fruits embrace the palate. A peculiar chemical taste and a bit of bitterness on the finish ruin the experience. Disappointing considering the pedigree of this vineyard. Reviewed October 1, 2008 ARTICLE »
2005 Sanford La Rinconada Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
This is a superb vineyard and Pinots I have had from here have been outstanding and very age worthy. This wine is no exception. Fabulous aromatics of spice and bright ripe cherries, meaty flavors of toasty Pinot fruits highlighted with licorice, and a finish that leaves you asking for more. There is a certain pedigree to the fruit here (the vineyard is adjacent to Sanford & Benedict Vineyard) and this wine struts a certain charisma that is other worldly. Reviewed July 23, 2007 ARTICLE »