Product Overview
Vineyard Notes
"Rancho la Viña Vineyard was planted in 2005 at the far southwestern edge of the Sta. Rita Hills. Situated on a gently-sloped mesa several hundred feet above the valley floor and fully exposed to the cool winds coming off the Pacific Ocean, this site is one of the coldest Pinot Noir vineyards in California. Along with the region’s marine influence, the site’s low fertility sandy loam soils yield very small berries, which give the wines remarkably deep, dark color and intense flavors."
Winemaker's Notes
"Explosive aromatics and intensity define this wine, with layers of strawberry, Bing cherry, black tea, and blood orange zest. The palate is round yet energetic, supported by well-integrated acid and tannin that stretch the wine out beautifully. It opens with lush, ripe fruit and finishes with a crunchy, bright lift. Complex, expressive, and deeply enjoyable."
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Clones: 114, 115
Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills AVA
Vineyard Designation: Rancho La Viña Vineyard
Whole Cluster: 67%
Aging: 10 months in French oak, 10% new
Production: 202 cases
Winemaker: Matt Brady
97 Points - James Suckling
"Richness and elegance go hand in hand, with concentrated aromas and flavors of hibiscus, raspberries and other forest fruit. Counterpoints of blood oranges, rhubarb and more minerally notes emerge with air. The lingering red-tea and violet finish remains taut and mouthwatering. Drink or hold, but patience will be rewarded." -JS
95 Points - Wine Advocate
"The most multifaceted and impressive wine in the Samsara roster, the 2023 Pinot Noir Rancho la Vina Vineyard was fermented with two-thirds whole clusters and aged in a small portion of new wood. It beams from the glass with a radiant, expressive bouquet of red fruit, hibiscus, orange peels, fennel and crushed stones, followed by a sleek, racy and high-toned palate intensified by electric acidity and elegantly structured depth. It concludes with a strikingly weightless and intense finish, lingering with a clearly defined, tensile core of minerality amidst vibrant fruit flavors and assertive yet refined tannins." -ML, WA, 11/6/25
94 Points - Vinous
"The 2023 Pinot Noir Rancho La Viña Vineyard is the standout in this range, and also the wine that feels the most complete. Bitter black cherry skin, spice, blood orange and iodine broaden in the glass, accenting a wine with great textural polish and an energized upper register that drives the aromatic expressiveness. The 66% whole clusters are perfectly woven into the wine's fabric." -BN, Aug/2025
