Bellante
Bellante produces Pinot Noir and Syrah from Santa Barbara County's Sta. Rita Hills, a region defined by cool Pacific influence and diurnal temperature swings that build complexity in cool-climate reds. The winery's Reserve program draws from distinguished vineyard sites: Dierberg Vineyard yields structured Pinot Noir with the precision typical of the appellation's best expressions, while Shokrian Vineyard and Watch Hill Vineyard contribute Syrah marked by the savory depth and peppery character that Sta. Rita Hills is known to coax from the variety. Wine Enthusiast has rated these reserves, with the Dierberg Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir reaching 91.3 points. The focus on single-vineyard reserves reflects a commitment to terroir-driven winemaking across the Central Coast's most compelling cool-climate terrain.
Critics
Wine Enthusiast