"The 2019 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is an attractive, ethereal wine. Sweet dried cherry, mint, tobacco and sage are some of the aromas and flavors that open in the glass. I would give this a few years in bottle to soften. This is an especially savory style of Pinot with plenty of aromatic presence, and the fruit pushed into the background. The Sta. Rita Hills cuvée is a blend of fruit from Domaine de la Côte and La Encantada. (Drink between 2022-2031)." -Antonio Galloni, 90VM

"The 2019 Pinot Noir La Rinconada Vineyard is a heady, dazzling wine. The 100% whole clusters lend striking aromatic top notes that soar out of the glass. Sweet red cherry, sage, rose petal, blood orange and lavender give this beguiling, layered Pinot tons of complexity. Savory, wild and constantly changing in the glass, the Rinconada has so much to offer. This brilliant, captivating Pinot from Racines has so much to offer. (Drink between 2024-2039)." -Antonio Galloni, 96VM

"The Chardonnays from Racines shine, and this bottling from Bentrock Vineyard stakes a claim for the Sta Rita Hills at a sweet spot for a Chablisenne minerality in the Golden State. The mineral precision from this wine is enthralling; aromatics of petrichor and smoked salt are followed by grilled lemon peel. The palate is a lean, thirst-slaking, hyper-focused mineral with crushed chalk, seaspray and lime leaf. There is a depth of mineral here that is complemented by savoury flavours and citrus, but those both take a back seat to the wine's sheer stony, briny brilliance. (Drink between 2023-2034)." -Decanter, 94DE

"The 2021 Chardonnay Bentrock Vineyard is another stellar wine in this range from Racines. Deep mineral veins drive through a core of citrus fruit in this exquisite, vibrant Chardonnay. Citrus peel, white flowers and graphite linger. (Drink between 2023-2031)." -Vinous, 94VM

"The 2021 Pinot Noir La Rinconada Vineyard is another captivating wine from Racines. Blood orange, red cherry fruit, mint, spice, chalk and white pepper all open in the glass. The 70% whole clusters work beautifully with the wine's natural personality. Bright saline notes extend the dynamic finish effortlessly. This is a very, very pretty wine. (Drink between 2024-2036)" -Antonio Galloni, 96VM

"Sourced from Wenzlau, La Rinconada, Sanford & Benedict and Bentrock, the NV Grand Reserve Sparkling (2020 Base) was disgorged in February of 2023 with a dosage of four grams per liter, after spending 2.5 years on its lees. The nose is effortlessly fragrant and refined, offering citrus peel, green orchard fruit, nougat and crushed stone aromas. The palate is elegantly chalky and succulent, exuding a refinement of mousse that is so difficult to find in domestic sparkling wines. It finishes with fine, chalky details and an ethereal lift, gracefully attaining its intended mission statement: a high-toned Sta. Rita Hills blanc de blancs made with Champenois intentionality and precision.

In a significant development for the Sta. Rita Hills, Racines combines the expertise of Etienne de Montille, Brian Seave and Rodolphe Péters, representing the first major Burgundian/Champenois outpost in Santa Barbara County. Winemaker Ryan Hannaford completes the quartet responsible for these superb wines that have gradually become more tailored to the region. A singular highlight of the range is the Grand Reserve Sparkling, which exudes a clarity and refinement of mousse that is nearly unparalleled in California, making it one of the best expressions of domestic sparkling wine I have tasted. The Chardonnays are aged in barrel and finished in tank, resulting in chiseled, focused expressions. The Pinot Noirs employ high percentages of whole clusters and judicious new wood, combining a modern polish with confident but refined structures. Vineyard sources remain some of the region's best—including Sanford & Benedict, La Rinconada and Bentrock—and a 23-acre estate vineyard is underway, supplemented by a long-term lease at Wenzlau." - Wine Advocate 94WA

"Sourced from Wenzlau, La Rinconada, Sanford & Benedict and Bentrock, the NV Grand Reserve Sparkling (2020 Base) was disgorged in February of 2023 with a dosage of four grams per liter, after spending 2.5 years on its lees. The nose is effortlessly fragrant and refined, offering citrus peel, green orchard fruit, nougat and crushed stone aromas. The palate is elegantly chalky and succulent, exuding a refinement of mousse that is so difficult to find in domestic sparkling wines. It finishes with fine, chalky details and an ethereal lift, gracefully attaining its intended mission statement: a high-toned Sta. Rita Hills blanc de blancs made with Champenois intentionality and precision.

In a significant development for the Sta. Rita Hills, Racines combines the expertise of Etienne de Montille, Brian Seave and Rodolphe Péters, representing the first major Burgundian/Champenois outpost in Santa Barbara County. Winemaker Ryan Hannaford completes the quartet responsible for these superb wines that have gradually become more tailored to the region. A singular highlight of the range is the Grand Reserve Sparkling, which exudes a clarity and refinement of mousse that is nearly unparalleled in California, making it one of the best expressions of domestic sparkling wine I have tasted. The Chardonnays are aged in barrel and finished in tank, resulting in chiseled, focused expressions. The Pinot Noirs employ high percentages of whole clusters and judicious new wood, combining a modern polish with confident but refined structures. Vineyard sources remain some of the region's best—including Sanford & Benedict, La Rinconada and Bentrock—and a 23-acre estate vineyard is underway, supplemented by a long-term lease at Wenzlau." - Wine Advocate 94WA