Gainey Vineyard

Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

9.063 ratings
8.911 pro ratings
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, USA
Pinot Noir
Top Notes For
Daniel P. Drake

This afternoon I have opened the 2016 Gainey Vineyard Santa Barbara County Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir. The Gainey Vineyard has been around since 1962 and has been producing wonderful wines since then.

On the nose there is strawberry, raspberry, cherry cola, rosemary, herbal and vegetal notes, slight hint of vanilla and oak with an earthy undertone.

On the palate there is cherry, raspberry, plum, clove, spice, light oak, lavender and an earthy backbone.

This wine is medium bodied with medium + acidity and medium to + fine tannin that leads into a medium long fruit and earthy finish. I hope everyone has had a wonderful long weekend and are ready to get back to the grind. Please be safe and enjoy the short work week. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷

This afternoon I have opened the 2016 Gainey Vineyard Santa Barbara County Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir. The Gainey Vineyard has been around since 1962 and has been producing wonderful wines since then.

On the nose there is strawberry, raspberry, cherry cola, rosemary, herbal and vegetal notes, slight hint of vanilla and oak with an earthy undertone.

On the palate there is cherry, raspberry, plum, clove, spice, light oak, lavender and an earthy backbone.

This wine is medium bodied with medium + acidity and medium to + fine tannin that leads into a medium long fruit and earthy finish. I hope everyone has had a wonderful long weekend and are ready to get back to the grind. Please be safe and enjoy the short work week. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷

Sep 2nd, 2019
Jordan Wardlaw

Plum, black cherry, raspberry, licorice, spicy mid palate and firm tannins. Fairly well-balanced and bursting with fresh youthful fruit.

Plum, black cherry, raspberry, licorice, spicy mid palate and firm tannins. Fairly well-balanced and bursting with fresh youthful fruit.

Aug 10th, 2018
Alexandra Albin

A great CA pinot. I usually find CA pinots too warm from my style, but this has good acid to balance the warm fruit. A definite good CA Pinot that makes it taste like a Pinot and nor too warm fruit.

A great CA pinot. I usually find CA pinots too warm from my style, but this has good acid to balance the warm fruit. A definite good CA Pinot that makes it taste like a Pinot and nor too warm fruit.

1 person found it helpfulJun 2nd, 2019
Boris Mathiszik

First wine from the SMHS auction collection I bought. This is a great Pinot. Nice minerals, nice fruit, a little bit of spice. Beats all the OR Pinots.

First wine from the SMHS auction collection I bought. This is a great Pinot. Nice minerals, nice fruit, a little bit of spice. Beats all the OR Pinots.

Apr 26th, 2015
Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.1

Only 250 cases produced

Only 250 cases produced

Mar 25th, 2014
Thomas Weston

Great tart cherry. Light acid, strongly mineral driven.

Great tart cherry. Light acid, strongly mineral driven.

Feb 20th, 2014
Kristen Flynn

Just lovely by itself! Nice body, smooth finish and just the right balance of dark cherry and spice.

Just lovely by itself! Nice body, smooth finish and just the right balance of dark cherry and spice.

Feb 29th, 2024
Jeffrey Woo

Medium ruby hue with high saturation. Aromas of cola, raspberry, sage, strawberry, and vanilla. Medium body, with medium tannins and medium-plus acidity. Silky mouthfeel, though the finish remains a bit oaky and tannic. A worthwhile, highly quaffable Santa Barbara Pinot.

Medium ruby hue with high saturation. Aromas of cola, raspberry, sage, strawberry, and vanilla. Medium body, with medium tannins and medium-plus acidity. Silky mouthfeel, though the finish remains a bit oaky and tannic. A worthwhile, highly quaffable Santa Barbara Pinot.

Sep 12th, 2021
Steven Schmitt

Floral & fruity, low acidity. Very smooth to drink and enjoy!

Floral & fruity, low acidity. Very smooth to drink and enjoy!

Oct 23rd, 2020
Tom Wildenhaus

First time tasting this Pinot Noir. Very very nice. It has a bit of earthiness and a bit of young underripe just right cherry. This one to keep on hand.

First time tasting this Pinot Noir. Very very nice. It has a bit of earthiness and a bit of young underripe just right cherry. This one to keep on hand.

Jul 27th, 2020