Santa Barbara County has First Pinot Meunier Harvest

The first planting of Pinot Meunier in Santa Barbara County was harvested in August at Riverbench Vineyard & Winery.

Pinot Meunier is known to add body and depth to sparkling wines so Riverbench planted an acre of the grape. It produced 1.75 tons and is expected to produce 3 tons by next year, according to vineyard manager Rawley Hermreck.

Riverbench is one of approximately 40 county wineries that produces sparkling wines. They will initially keep the Pinot Meunier separate from the other sparkling wines. Once it is tasted, they will decide if it will be part of a cuvée or bottled on its own.

Riverbench Vineyard was established in the Santa Maria Valley in 1973. They have gone on to build a reputation for outstanding Santa Barbara County sparkling wines, so we wait to see what they do with their first Pinot Meunier.