Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/935769
{ SOMMjournal.com } 89 Alma Rosa Winery's Richard San- ford—who once upon a time labored at his Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in the 1970s as the only Pinot Noir grower in Santa Barbara—recently summarized the latest Pinot-permutation for The SOMM Journal. "I am delighted that, after 45 years growing the grape, we are now witnessing Pinot Noir evolving into de - finable regional characteristics," he says. Sanford also cites "pioneering of new sites," "new clones," "inquisitive young winemakers," and "maturation of older plantings" (the "rustic, youthful edges" of iconic vineyards now being "rounded out by age") as some of the major fac - tors of this recent breakthrough. As in past WOPN weekends, 250 select wineries from around the world—mostly California, but also from Burgundy, Oregon, New Zealand, and other regions—will participate in seminar, dinners, and more. The aptly- named Grand Tastings, meanwhile, will feature well over 500 bottlings of the latest groundbreaking Pinot Noirs, and there will be plenty of opportunities to hear from and converse with the best and brightest minds in the, well, world of Pinot Noir. Read on for an abbreviated summary of some of the marquee events planned for the upcoming 2018 World of Pinot Noir. To register or find more informa - tion, visit worldofpinotnoir.com. World of Pinot Noir Seminars Discovering Cool Climate Terroirs of the Central Coast: A winemaker panel exploring the cool-climate terroirs and the highest-scoring Pinot Noirs of California's Central Coast will be led by Wine Enthusiast Contributing Editor Matt Kettmann. Attack the Clones: Taste and discern the differences between key Pinot Noir clones with a winemaker panel including Greg Morthole of Davis Bynum, Heidi Bridenhagen of MacRostie Winery & Vineyards, and others. World of Pinot Noir Seminar Luncheons Exploring the Oregon-Burgundy Connection: A winemaker panel and tast- ing led by Wine & Spirits Magazine Editor Joshua Greene will explore Oregon's phenomenally close ties to Burgundy with a three-course Pinot Noir lunch prepared by Ritz-Carlton Bacara. Annual International Pinot Noir Luncheon: Ritz-Carlton's Bacara culinary team will serve three courses to complement the wines of guest winemakers gathered from Austria, Burgundy, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa's Stel- lenbosch region. Tasting Through the Best of Burgundy: San Francisco Wine School Founder David Glancy, MS, will lead a panel of Burgundy experts and winemakers through a tasting and discussion of the best of Burgundy's most recent vintages. Glancy will also explore latest developments from the region, and the seminar will be capped by three-course lunch from Ritz-Carlton Bacara. Rosé Lawn Party Atop the Bluff: A daytime lawn party will feature some of the finest international Pinot Noir rosés on Angel Oak's veranda, which over- looks a spectacular ocean bluff. World of Pinot Noir Dinners The Art of Japanese Cuisine and Freeman Winery Pinot Noir: Acclaimed chef Ken Tominaga of PABU (San Francisco and Boston) and Hana (Sonoma) will craft a multi-course, umami-inspired feast around the exquisite Pinot Noirs of Freeman Winery presented by owners Akiko and Ken Freeman. The Bounties of the Santa Maria Valley—A Celebratory Farm-to-Fork Dinner: Ritz-Carlton Bacara Executive Chef Umit Kaygusuz will show why Santa Barbara is just as famous for its eponymous, locally-raised beef as it is for its fine Pinot Noirs. 101 Years of Single-Vineyard Pinot Noir Along the Historic Highway 101: Celebrated Pinot Noir pioneers Greg Brewer of Brewer-Clifton, Adam Lee of Siduri Wines, Wells Guthrie of Copain Wines, and Jonathan Nagy of Byron will combine 101 years of collective experience to tell their stories, making for an evening of food, laughter, and, of course, fabulous Pinot Noir. Vintage Burgundy Dinner with the Guild of Sommeliers: This extraordinary, six-course culinary Pinot Noir experience will be hosted by the Guild of Som- meliers, with Master Sommelier Jay Fletcher leading a tasting of classic Burgun- dies from the Guild's extensive cellar. An extensive flight of Pinot Noir at a WOPN seminar. PHOTO COURTESY OF TENLEY FOHL PHOTOGRAPHY