Allan Hancock Vineyard
Winemaker Norm Yost has a long history with Allan Hancock College, first as an winemaking instructor and later as an advisory committee member on the Viticulture & Enology Program. He was impressed when the urban vineyard was planted over 10 years ago as part of a hands-on work experience in the Program. The 4-acre Allan Hancock College Vineyard is located on the west side of Highway 101 on College Avenue in the heart of Santa Maria. It’s the only commercial urban vineyard that is operating in the city of Santa Maria, located in a unique setting with housing on two sides to the north of the girls’ softball field. The vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. The grapes are used by the students to make wine at the campus winery or sold to local wineries. In 2020, Yost was given access to the premium fruit because the program was not making wine that year due to COVID-19. AHC College has been producing award-winning wines from the vineyard and even launched an annual West Coast College & University Wine Festival in 2023.
In 2018, the campus vineyard at Allan Hancock began dedicating a portion of the grapes to trial productions according to sustainable, biodynamic, and organic principles. More sustainable plots were included in the vineyard thereafter, with the grapes intended for entirely organic and biodynamic wines.
We invite you to join us in an adventure which is our first release of Pinot Noir from Allan Hancock College Vineyard. Wine Enthusiast thinks it is stellar, rating it 94 pts and Editor's Choice, and so do we! Meander down a deciduous Northwestern rainforest trail in the summer to awaken your first sensory appreciation of this earthy wine. The gorgeous medium garnet color and enticing dusty cherry aromatics will lure you into the profound flavors on the palate. Enjoy dark cherry and plum soaked in toasted oak with a hint of cranberry.
