Never released to the public, this is the wine that started it all. Racines' first release was a single barrel of Sanford & Benedict fruit, a test run of 250-year-old winemaking tradition on a new site in the Sta. Rita Hills' most storied vineyard, Sanford & Benedict. Ten years later, this wine shows all fo the rustic dried cherry notes you expect from this site, but with a bit of herbal power that is a De Montille specialty, largely coming from the 10-year aging of the 30% stem inclusion. Magical, wax-capped (they only did this in year one!) and youthful, this is a Pinot you do not want to miss tasting!

"This is the best American sparkling wine I've ever tasted. This Grand Reserve Chardonnay made from the cool Sta Rita Hills is crafted with a Champagne pedigree, and it shows. This Blanc de Blancs from across renowned Sta Rita Hills vineyards has undeniable Old World charm and sophistication. The aromatics boast ample toasted biscuit notes and great yeasty complexity from the 30 months on lees. The palate has a fantastic depth of fruit, spiced pear, cardamom, nutmeg and bruised apples. There is a subtlety of savoury biscuits and hints of almond cream. Elegant, yet bold and wildly delicious." - Decanter 96DE

"The 2023 Chardonnay de Montille Estate is a wine of striking textural intensity and inner tension. Phenolic bitterness and intense minerality lend a sense of cut. This is far more about pithy, citrusy grip and texture than fruit, but it is decidedly compelling. This is all terroir." Vinous  94VM

"From two parcels in the plantings to the western end of Santa Rosa Road, both north-facing, the first sits atop the vineyard looking out over the Sta Rita Hills on very rocky soils, in an extremely exposed and windy perch. The second, a little lower and with more soil, sits just to the east and is protected by the hilltop where the other piece sits. Both blocks are on shallow clay loam mixed with fractured shale, sandstone and pockets of diatomaceous earth, creating a rocky, well-drained profile. 322 cases produced. Luxurious and concentrated on the palate. Reminiscent of Puligny [Montrachet]. Really savoury, with definite potential for greater development. Long. (Drink between 2027-2033)" Jancis Robinson 17.5/20 JR

"Ruby hued and semi-opaque, the 2023 Pinot Noir De Montille Estate has darker black cherries, leafy underbrush, autumn forest, and beautiful sappy floral nuances on the nose. Vinified with 40% whole clusters and aged 19 months in 20% new French oak, it's balanced and medium-bodied, with a pure, graceful mouthfeel, terrific tension and focus, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Drink 2026-2045....If you’re looking for chiseled, subtly reductive Chardonnays and complex, racy, focused Pinot Noirs that can stand toe to toe with top wines from Burgundy, look no further." Jeb Dunnuck 95JD

"From the upper plantings of the La Rinconada vineyard, neighbouring Sanford & Benedict vineyard, consisting of deep, dark, rocky soils, Elder clay loam over weathered shale. This is a selection of Mt Eden cuttings that Richard Sanford brought down from northern California. In the cellar, three-quarters whole-cluster spontaneous fermentation managed with a combination of foulage and pigeage before being put to 228-litre barriques (25% new) for 19 months before bottling. 333 cases produced. Pale blueish garnet; a little darker than the Sanford & Benedict 2023 bottling. Rich nose. Rich palate entry. Herbal nose again. Complex wine with real life and energy. Really rather scrumptious. (Drink between 2026-2037)" Jancis Robinson 17.5/20JR

"Lighter purple, a more herbaceous nose but in a pleasing way, 100% whole bunch. Savoury strawberry with some herbs, good acidity and fine length." -Jasper Morris, 90-92JM