World of (Sparkling) Pinot Noir

World of Pinot Noir is an annual festival held every spring at the Ritz Carlton Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara regaling the beauty of Pinot Noir. This year’s World of Pinot Noir began at the Wine Cask in Santa Barbara with a celebratory lunch for the 20th anniversary of Brewer-Clifton. Although the weekend is dedicated to Pinot Noir, Greg Brewer was kind enough to bring a few bottles of their 2010 3-D, Blanc de Blancs sourced from Santa Rita Hills that was disgorged à la minute in the courtyard. It was served to guests as the welcome toast. The sparkler was luminescent with notes of orchard fruit, spice and exotic saffron. It was an absolutely stunning wine!

Throughout the weekend many other impressive US sparkling wines (mostly Pinot Noir based) crossed my path and palate ranging from Anne Amie’s Brut Rosé from the Willamette Valley in Oregon to J Brut Rosé from their Winery in Sonoma’s Russian River to the beloved Goat Bubbles from Flying Goat Cellars in Santa Barbara.

After another successful year, I am highly anticipating their 2019 seminars and tastings!