Pinot Noir casts a spell with its hauntingly beautiful aromas and flavors and is beloved by everybody.  Depending on where in the world it’s grown, Pinot Noir can be delicate and ethereal, ripe and sexy, or big and bold.  Exploring Pinot Noir in all its glory is what the 2019 World of Pinot aims to do on Friday and Saturday, March 1-2.  Established 19 years ago by California’s Central Coast Pinot Noir winemakers, the World of Pinot Noir (WOPN) educates and encourages wine lovers on Pinot’s charms, every year at the beginning of March.  From Burgundy’s Nuits-St.-Georges to New Zealand’s Central Otago, Pinot Noir captivates the palate, fueled by the passion of winemakers who strive to cultivate the finicky grape.

Ken Bernards of Ancien Wines

Wes Hagen of J. Wilkes and Adam Lee of Siduri

Ken Bernards of Ancien and Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead Cellars

The World of Pinot Noir praises the beauty of the wines, with two days of tasting seminars, Grand Tastings, and wine-themed lunches and dinners.  Celebrating producers from prominent Pinot regions worldwide, and assisted by the insights of an outstanding panel of sommeliers from across the US, Pinot Noir aficionados can taste the differences for themselves.  Held at Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, the 2019 World of Pinot Noir features a cast of who’s who on the Pinot planet, where wineries, chefs, sommeliers, panelists, and industry experts come together in the name of Pinot Noir!

Norm Yost of Flying Goat Cellars

Melanie Brain of Baker & Brain Wines

A packed two day schedule of events celebrates all things Pinot.  Friday opens with “Exploring the New World of Pinot Noir” seminar/luncheon, led by Elaine Chukan Brown and a winemaker panel.  Other seminars that day, “Savoy Vineyard - The Apex of Anderson Valley” and “WALT Wines Vertical Tasting” offer a deeper dive into specific wineries, while three special dinners that night, “Celebrating Domaine Chanson”, “The Roots of California Pinot Noir Dinner: Calera + Kosta Browne + Goldeneye + Migration”, and “Fess Parker Dinner: 30 Years of Fess Parker” explore Pinot Noir from Burgundy to Sonoma.  Saturday’s special events include a Burgundy seminar/luncheon “Tasting the Signature Styles of Burgundy” and “Discover the Best of Oregon’s Willamette Valley” seminar, as well as a Rosé Lawn Party, and three Saturday night dinners, “The Stars of the Central Coast”, “Williams Selyem + Melville” and “Sommelier Guild Dinner”.  Of course, both days offer a Grand Tasting, where hundreds of producers pour their distinctive wines.

Flying Goat Cellars Goat Bubbles

Clouds Rest Femme Fatale Estate Pinot Noir

Melanie & Matt Brain of Baker & Brain Wines

Anne Amie Vineyards of Oregon

Shane Moore of Gran Moraine Winery of Oregon

Last year’s highlights and trends:  the importance of clones for complexity and suitability to terroir, the emerging popularity of sparkling and rosé Pinot wines, Petaluma Gap as the newest AVA for producing premium Pinot Noir, noteworthy newcomers in Clouds Rest Vineyards and Baker & Brain Wines, and the explosion of Oregon wines in the marketplace.

Tickets are available on the WOPN website, and due to its increasing popularity, many events may be sold out.  But the Grand Tastings are certainly worth the time, because where can you taste so many Pinots from around the world in one place!