Hartley Ostini Hitching Post SIDEWAYS 20th Anniversary Highliner Santa Barbara Pinot Noir 2021 Rated 93WE

Wine Enthusiast Review
Rated 93
Released in 2024 to honor the 20th anniversary of the Oscar-winning film Sideways, this bottling offers cranberry, tarry rocks and dank sage aromas on the nose. The palate surrounds a core of raspberry and forest floor, relying on wild herbs to bring a savory side to the food-ready wine.

Hartley Ostini Hitching Post SIDEWAYS 20th Anniversary Highliner Pinot Noir 2021

Hartley Ostini Hitching Post "SIDEWAYS" 20th Anniversary Highliner Pinot Noir 2021 is a limited-edition bottling celebrating the iconic wine film that put Santa Barbara Pinot on the map. Sourced from top vineyard sites in Santa Barbara County, this 2021 vintage showcases the bold, balanced style that made Highliner famous - now with a collectible twist honoring Sideways. Rich, expressive, and true to place, it's a must-have for Pinot lovers and film fans alike.

Key Features

• Type: Red Wine
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Region: Santa Barbara County, California
• Special Edition: SIDEWAYS 20th Anniversary Release
• Winery: Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Wines
• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): Approx. 14.1%
• Production: Small-lot, estate-grown and sourced from select vineyards

Tasting Notes

• Aroma: Dark cherry, cranberry, rose petal, and toasted spice.
• Palate: Silky and layered with ripe red fruit, cola, forest floor, and savory oak.
• Finish: Long, smooth, and balanced with firm acidity and fine tannins.
• Body: Medium-bodied with structure and finesse.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve slightly cool at 55-60°F in a Burgundy glass.
• Pairs beautifully with grilled salmon, duck breast, mushroom dishes, or Santa Maria tri-tip.
• Great for fans of Sideways, collectors, and lovers of serious Santa Barbara Pinot Noir.

Hitching Post's 20th Anniversary SIDEWAYS Highliner is more than a wine - it's a toast to a cultural icon, crafted with precision and rooted in Santa Barbara's Pinot legacy.