Matthew Fritz Pinot Noir

Matthew Fritz Pinot Noir is a 750ml, 13.5% ABV Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir aged six months in French oak. This expression earned a Gold medal at the 2019 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and received 88 points from Wine Enthusiast, underscoring its consistent quality within one of California's most acclaimed cool-climate appellations.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California  |  100% Pinot Noir  |  Producer: Matthew Fritz by Bonanno Vintners

Production & Heritage

Matthew Fritz wines are produced by Bonanno Vintners under the direction of winemaker Jim Milone, who works out of Healdsburg in Sonoma County. Milone grew up among the vineyards of his grandfather's winery in Mendocino County, bringing generational winemaking knowledge to every bottling. The fruit is sourced from the Santa Lucia Highlands — a benchland appellation in Monterey County prized for its dramatic diurnal temperature swings and persistent maritime winds off Monterey Bay. The grapes undergo a clean, fruit-forward winemaking approach before spending six months in French oak, a restrained aging regimen designed to preserve varietal character rather than mask it with heavy wood influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe wild strawberry and dark cherry, followed by floral layers of violet and rose petal. Secondary notes of clove, cardamom, tea leaf, and grilled mushroom add earthy complexity alongside faint suggestions of balsa wood and charred bark.

Taste: The entry is smooth and medium-bodied, with bright raspberry and cherry fruit forming the core. Mid-palate, the wine reveals textured elegance — hints of mushroom, black tea, and subtle smoky undertones develop without overwhelming the ripe fruit character. Oak influence stays measured, contributing gentle structure rather than dominant flavor.

Finish: The finish is medium in length with soft tannins and a lingering interplay of cherry, smoke, and earth. It fades cleanly, leaving a trace of spice and dried tea leaf.

How to Drink Matthew Fritz Pinot Noir

Serve slightly below room temperature — around 60–65°F — to let the aromatic complexity open fully. This Pinot drinks well on its own but also has enough structure and earthy depth to hold its ground in wine-based cocktails. A Burgundy Kir benefits from the wine's bright cherry fruit when paired with a small measure of crème de cassis. A Pinot Noir Sangria built with stone fruit and cinnamon plays naturally off the wine's spice and berry profile. A simple Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) works surprisingly well here, as the wine's smoky notes and soft tannins create a more layered version of the classic Spanish mix.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners that call for a reliable, food-friendly red
• Introducing someone to cool-climate California Pinot Noir
• Hosting a casual wine tasting focused on Monterey County appellations
• Gifting a Pinot Noir lover a well-made bottle without a premium price tag

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Matthew Fritz Pinot Noir taste like? It delivers ripe raspberry and cherry fruit with earthy undertones of mushroom, black tea, and gentle smoke, all supported by soft tannins and measured French oak influence.

How does Matthew Fritz Pinot Noir compare to Hahn SLH Pinot Noir? Both source fruit from the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation, but Matthew Fritz sees a shorter oak aging period of six months, resulting in a lighter, more fruit-forward profile. Hahn SLH typically spends longer in barrel and tends toward richer extraction, making it a fuller-bodied alternative from the same region.

Is Matthew Fritz Pinot Noir good for sipping on its own? Yes — its medium body, bright fruit, and soft tannins make it approachable without food, especially when served at a cool 60–65°F to highlight its aromatic layers.

Where is Matthew Fritz Pinot Noir made? The grapes are grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA of Monterey County, California, and the wine is produced by winemaker Jim Milone at Bonanno Vintners' facility in Healdsburg, Sonoma County.

What foods pair well with Matthew Fritz Pinot Noir? Roasted duck breast complements the wine's cherry and earthy mushroom notes. Grilled salmon works with its medium body and subtle smoke. Wild mushroom risotto mirrors the earthy palate character. Charcuterie boards featuring prosciutto and aged Gruyère highlight the fruit and spice, while herb-roasted chicken provides a straightforward, crowd-pleasing match.

What sizes does Matthew Fritz Pinot Noir come in? Matthew Fritz Pinot Noir is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Matthew Fritz Pinot Noir worth the price? It positions as a value-tier Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, delivering appellation-specific character — cool-climate fruit, floral aromatics, earthy depth — at a price point well below many of its SLH neighbors, making it one of the stronger values in the region.

Why Matthew Fritz Pinot Noir?

Santa Lucia Highlands fruit commands a premium for good reason: the appellation's wind-battered benchlands and fog-cooled mornings produce Pinot Noir with an intensity and aromatic complexity that warmer regions struggle to replicate. This bottling translates that terroir into an accessible format, backed by a Gold medal from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and an 88-point score from Wine Enthusiast. Jim Milone's restrained use of French oak — just six months — keeps the focus squarely on the fruit and the appellation rather than on winemaking artifice. For drinkers who want genuine SLH character without navigating the region's higher price tiers, this is one of the more straightforward entry points available.