Land of Saints Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, California

Bathed in the Pacific light of California’s Central Coast, the 2023 Land of Saints Pinot Noir is a heartfelt ode to place, a union of seven vineyard sites across Arroyo Grande, Santa Maria Valley, and Sta. Rita Hills. Crafted by the trio of Jason Osborne, Angela Osborne, and Manuel Cuevas, this vintage captures the quiet soul of Santa Barbara County’s coastal terroir: a tapestry of granite, riverstone, diatomaceous earth, and ancient seabed soils. It’s an honest, soulful Pinot Noir, one that sings with purity, freshness, and grace.

Product Details:

• Winemakers/ Owners: Jason Osborne, Angela Osborne, and Manuel Cuevas
• Subregions: Arroyo Grande, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills
• Soil: Granite, riverstone, diatomaceous earth, and ancient seabed
• Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
• Harvest: Multiple sites, harvested and vinified separately
• Fermentation: Arroyo Grande lot fully de-stemmed; Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills fermented with 25% whole cluster; native yeasts
• Aging (Élevage): 13 months in neutral 59-gallon French barriques
• Blending: Combined in tank one lunar cycle before bottling
• Production: 2,598 cases
• Alcohol: 13.2%
• Fining/Filtration: Minimal intervention
• Farming: Sustainable, site-driven viticulture

Sensory Description:

The 2023 Pinot Noir opens with lifted aromas of wild strawberry, pomegranate, and red cherry framed by subtle notes of rose petal, sagebrush, and crushed rock. On the palate, it’s supple and bright, a seamless interplay of ripe red fruit, mineral tension, and savory nuance. Silky tannins and vibrant acidity drive a long, graceful finish, echoing with whispers of earth and sea salt. This is coastal Pinot Noir at its most transparent: pure, balanced, and quietly powerful.

Winemaker's Background:

Land of Saints is the shared vision of three friends, Jason Osborne of Cornish origin, Angela Osborne of A Tribute to Grace, and Manuel Cuevas of C2 Cellars, who found in California a “new land of saints.” Their project celebrates both friendship and terroir, focusing on honest, soulful wines that reflect the diversity of the Central Coast. Inspired by Cornwall’s “age of the saints” and the many Sans and Santas of California, the trio’s wines are guided by a simple principle: what’s said of old is said in truth, and their truth is one of transparency, place, and respect for the land.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve lightly chilled at 15–16°C in a Burgundy glass to showcase its aromatics and texture. This Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with roast duck, seared salmon, mushroom risotto, or herb-roasted chicken. Its bright acidity and mineral edge also complement Mediterranean dishes, grilled vegetables, and soft cheeses like Camembert or Taleggio.

The 2023 Land of Saints Pinot Noir embodies the beauty and generosity of California’s Central Coast, elegant yet unpretentious, a wine that reflects the friendship, humility, and sense of place that inspired its creation.