Melville Estate Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 2025
(Santa Barbara County, California) - [VM 93]

About the Winery:
Melville Winery was founded in 1989 by father Ron and son Chad Melville. Originally operated as an estate winery in Sonoma County, Knights Valley, the Melville's couldn't shake the desire to produce cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. The decision was made to relocate to the Sta. Rita Hills, in Lompoc, the western region of the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County in 1996. Therefore, the Melville's played a massive part in Sta. Rita Hill's receiving their AVA status in 2001.

About this Wine:
The estate Pinot Noir is made up of 100% estate fruit from the sandy soils of the Sta. Rita Hills, coming from sixteen different clones. 40% of the fruit was fermented whole-cluster, with 60% of which was gently destemmed in small open-top fermenters. The grapes undergo total skin and stem contact for 30 days, seven of which are cold soak, two weeks of fermentation, and one week of extended maceration. The grapes are then pressed and transferred into neutral, 10-year-old French oak barrels and aged sur lie until the following June. The wine was gently racked and prepared for bottling in August. 

Aromatically this wine has a dynamically ripe red raspberry note, with orange zest, and touches of rhubarb. On the palate, the wine is deliciously savory with fine black tea, dried eucalyptus and lingering flavors of bing cherries. Overall the wine has softened tannins, delightfully cool climate influenced acidity and a lengthy finish.  

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2025 Pinot Noir Estate, just bottled one month prior to this tasting, is slightly darker in character than the 2024 tasted alongside. Dark cherry, resinous herbs, underbrush, spices and woodsy tones settle in nicely, wrapping tightly around a bound-up core of fine tannin. There’s not a ton of acidity here, but the 2025 derives its freshness from a touch of high-toned florals." - Billy Norris (Sep 2026)

94 Points & #10 Top 100 of 2026 - Wine Spectator (2024):
"This is very alive, with a burst of kirsch and cherry flavors liberally laced with savory and bay leaf notes. Offers crackling acidity, wet slate and a bright iris streak through the finish. Best from 2027 through 2034. 2,699 cases made." - James Molesworth (Sep 2026)