Taz Santa Barbara Pinot Noir

Taz Santa Barbara Pinot Noir is a 100% Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County, California, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. What distinguishes this wine is its dual-vineyard sourcing, drawing fruit from both North Canyon Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley and the acclaimed Fiddlestix Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills — a site that sits adjacent to the legendary Sanford & Benedict vineyards.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Santa Barbara County, California  |  100% Pinot Noir  |  Aged 12 Months in French Oak  |  Winemaker: Natasha Boffman

Production & Heritage

The Taz label is named after winegrower Bob "Taz" Steinhauer and is produced through a winemaking cooperative in Santa Barbara County. Winemaker Natasha Boffman, who took the reins in 2005, blends Pinot Noir from two distinct appellations: the warmer Santa Maria Valley via North Canyon Vineyard and the cooler, marine-influenced Sta. Rita Hills via Fiddlestix Vineyard. The wine spends 12 months aging in French oak barrels, with 32% new wood — a restrained proportion that supports rather than dominates the fruit character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with moderately intense raspberry and cherry cola, followed by white pepper and earthy undertones. A thread of vanilla emerges as the wine breathes, reflecting its time in French oak.

Taste: On the palate, ripe cherry and strawberry arrive first, giving way to a mid-palate layered with baking spice and subtle plum. The wine is medium-bodied with sweet, approachable tannins and a fruit-forward disposition that stays composed without turning jammy.

Finish: The finish is moderate in length with lingering notes of cola, red berry, and a dusting of warm spice. Tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a clean and satisfying close.

How to Drink Taz Pinot Noir

Serve slightly below room temperature — around 60–65°F — to highlight the wine's aromatic complexity and keep the fruit precise. A standard Burgundy glass with a wide bowl encourages the cherry and spice notes to bloom. For cocktail-adjacent wine applications: use it in a classic Sangria where its cherry and cola notes add natural depth; try it in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) for a playful match given its inherent cola character; or incorporate it into a Red Wine Spritzer for a lighter warm-weather option that preserves the berry brightness.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want a quality California Pinot without overthinking the pairing
• Introducing someone to Santa Barbara County wines through an approachable, dual-appellation blend
• Hosting a casual tasting of Central Coast Pinot Noirs
• Bringing a reliable bottle to a dinner party with a varied menu

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Taz Pinot Noir taste like? Taz Pinot Noir delivers ripe cherry, strawberry, and cola flavors supported by baking spice and vanilla from 12 months in French oak. It is medium-bodied with sweet tannins and a fruit-forward but balanced profile.

How does Taz Pinot Noir compare to Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir? Both wines source fruit from Santa Barbara County, but Taz specifically blends grapes from Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills, while Au Bon Climat's estate bottlings draw primarily from their own Santa Maria Valley vineyards. Taz tends toward a riper, more fruit-forward style, while Au Bon Climat is generally known for a more Burgundian, acid-driven approach.

Is Taz Pinot Noir good for everyday sipping? Yes — its approachable tannin structure, moderate body, and generous fruit make it a versatile everyday red that does not require extended decanting or special occasion justification.

Where is Taz Pinot Noir made? Taz Pinot Noir is produced in Santa Barbara County, California, using fruit from North Canyon Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley and Fiddlestix Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The Fiddlestix site is particularly notable for its proximity to the historic Sanford & Benedict vineyards.

What foods pair well with Taz Pinot Noir? Roasted duck breast complements the wine's cherry and spice notes. Grilled salmon works well against its medium body and soft tannins. Mushroom risotto echoes the earthy undertones on the nose. Charcuterie boards with mild salumi highlight the red berry fruit, and roasted beet salads mirror the wine's natural earthiness.

What sizes does Taz Pinot Noir come in? Taz Santa Barbara Pinot Noir is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Taz Pinot Noir worth the price? Taz positions as a mid-range California Pinot Noir that over-delivers on its vineyard sourcing — fruit from the respected Fiddlestix Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills is a genuine quality marker at this price tier, where many competing wines rely on less distinguished sites.

Why Taz Pinot Noir?

The strongest argument for this wine is the Fiddlestix Vineyard component. Located in the cool-climate Sta. Rita Hills AVA alongside some of California's most celebrated Pinot Noir sites, Fiddlestix grapes bring an intensity and structure that the Santa Maria Valley fruit alone would not achieve. The 32% new oak regimen keeps the barrel influence measured, letting varietal character lead. Under winemaker Natasha Boffman's direction since 2005, the Taz label has maintained a consistent identity: ripe but not overwrought, oaked but not heavy-handed, and sourced from vineyards with genuine pedigree in a county that continues to prove itself as one of California's premier Pinot Noir regions.