2014 Lava Vine Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 750 ml

The Prince of Cabernet Takes On Pinot Noir

Santa Barbara local legend Rudy von Strasser was the first-ever American intern at Château Lafite Rothschild, absorbing the lessons of the grand Pauillac First-Growth before returning to the West Coast. Also an alum of Trefethen, and Newton Vineyard, nicknamed “The Prince of Cabernet,” von Strasser is now turning his hand to Pinot Noir, and in 2014 he crafted an absolute jewel, a gorgeous, rose-scented Pinot Noir called Lava Vine, with fruit sourced from the only AVA that is on par to rival the best from Sonoma’s Russian River—the coveted Sta. Rita Hills appellation. Giving up exquisite notes of red fruit on the nose, the body of this 2014 Lava Vine Pinot Noir is supple, dense, and earthy, showing fine acidity and an epic finish.

We’re the first to market with this release in a Wine Access exclusive, making this sleekly textured Pinot Noir available at $24.99—almost HALF OFF the release price of $48. Just 56 cases.

After von Strasser’s return from the cellars at Lafite Rothschild, he became enologist at the historic, world-famous Trefethen Vineyard, then took on assistant winemaker duties at Newton Vineyards. But what really made von Strasser’s legacy was his eponymous winery on Diamond Mountain. On those steep slopes, he would produce some of California’s most thrilling, full-throttle, and long-lived mountain Cabernets, packed with black fruit power. He was instrumental in creating the Diamond Mountain AVA and earned the title in the press as the “Prince of Cabernet,” not to mention multiple “Winery of the Year” honors from Wine & Spirits.

In 2015, von Strasser sold his estate and vineyard and bought Lava Vine, which had been started in 2004 by Joe and Jill Cabral. A beloved institution in Calistoga, Lava Vine specialized in lesser-known grape varieties and appellations, producing wines that had a strong following in Napa. The tasting room was a warm, lively renovated barn where the musically-inclined staff was known to pick up their instruments on a whim and throw impromptu concerts. Best of all, the facility would allow von Strosser to begin experimenting with Pinot Noir, a grape he’d been itching to work with.

One of the first vintages that bore his touch at Lava Vine, 2014 was a boom year for Pinot Noir. In the coveted Sta. Rita Hills AVA, blustery ocean breezes treated Pinot grapes to a refreshing, extremely cool growing season. These conditions caused the grapes to darken and grow thicker skins for protection, and by harvest time, gave way to a Lava Vine Pinot that resembled Chambolle-Musigny in its supple texture, brimming with layered red fruits showing softer, more feminine tannins, but still shaped with power and elegance. At nearly half-off the release price, this is undoubtedly one of the best values of Santa Barbara Pinot you’ll see anywhere this year.