Sandhi is a small production California winery focusing on select vineyards from the Sta. Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County and was founded in 2010 by Rajat Parr, the wine director for Michael Mina Restaurants, and esteemed winemaker, Sashi Moorman. Sandhi represents a union essential to the production of wine: the collaboration between man, earth, and vine. The willing participation of all three elements is necessary to make great wine, and the winegrower must make this collaboration rich and nourishing for all involved. An understanding of these joint efforts informs Sandhi’s exploration of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines throughout the Santa Barbara County terroir.

California is the heart of American wine production, accounting for around 80% of all U.S. wine. Its vast and varied landscape offers an extraordinary range of climates and terroirs, allowing a broad diversity of grape varieties and wine styles. Stretching over 1,100 kilometres from north to south, the state includes world-famous wine regions such as Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, and Mendocino.

Key wine towns include Napa, St. Helena, Healdsburg, and Santa Rosa. Napa Valley is renowned globally for its premium Cabernet Sauvignon, while Sonoma produces acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel. Further south, Santa Barbara is noted for its cool-climate Syrah and Pinot Noir, while Paso Robles excels with robust Rhône and Bordeaux varietals.

The most widely planted grape varieties in California include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc. The diversity of microclimates allows both cool- and warm-climate grapes to flourish.

California’s primary growing challenges include drought, water scarcity, and the increasing threat of wildfires, which can damage vineyards and affect grape quality through smoke taint. However, its abundant sunshine, varied topography, and innovative viticultural practices provide significant benefits, helping to maintain its reputation as a leader in premium New World wine.

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most celebrated and challenging grape varieties, renowned for producing elegant, complex wines. Believed to have originated in Burgundy, France, over 1,000 years ago, it thrives in cooler climates where its thin skin and early ripening nature are best suited. Viticulturally, Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to grow: it is susceptible to rot, mildew, and pests, and requires precise canopy management to balance ripening with acidity retention.

Pinot Noir is planted across the globe, with notable expressions found in Burgundy, Champagne, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, California’s Sonoma Coast, New Zealand’s Central Otago, and Germany’s Baden and Pfalz regions. In Champagne, it is a key component of sparkling wines, typically blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. The wine's diverse geographical range means that you might also find it labelled as Red Burgundy, Pinot Nero, Blauburgunder, or Spätburgunder.

The grape produces wines of delicate colour but remarkable aromatic depth. Typical flavour profiles include red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, often layered with floral notes, earthy undertones, and hints of spice or forest floor as the wines mature. Styles range from light and silky to more structured and age-worthy, depending on climate and winemaking choices. Pinot Noir’s ability to express terroir with precision makes it a favourite among wine lovers, despite — or perhaps because of — its demanding nature in the vineyard.