Why Pinot Noir Belongs in Your Glass This Spring (and Summer)

As a wine lover, writer, and wine travel media personality, there are few things I enjoy more than discovering wines that surprise and delight – and pinot noir continues to be one of those wines that never gets old. While I typically reach for a glass of pinot during cozy fall evenings, the Global Blind Taste Challenge at this year’s World of Pinot Noir reminded me that this grape isn’t just for sweater weather. Pinot noir has range and it’s ready to be your go-to wine this spring and summer.

Living and writing in Santa Barbara Wine Country, I’m surrounded by world-class pinot noir regularly. But the World of Pinot Noir – a seaside celebration that brings together top producers from around the globe – offered a fresh perspective. Tasting pinot noirs from diverse regions side-by-side made one thing crystal clear: climate is everything when it comes to this grape.

I’m always fascinated by the way a wine reflects where it’s grown, and pinot noir might be the most expressive of them all. The blind tasting highlighted how dramatically this varietal changes character – depending on whether it’s from a cool or warm climate.

In cooler climates like Santa Barbara’s coastal AVAs, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Germany’s Baden region, or Burgundy, the growing season is longer and more gradual. This slow ripening process helps grapes retain higher natural acidity and develop delicate, nuanced flavors. Pinots from these regions often showcase bright red fruits; cranberry, raspberry, and pomegranate alongside floral notes, soft tannins, and a fresh, elegant structure. They’re vibrant, layered, and incredibly food friendly.

By contrast, warmer climates, such as inland parts of California’s Russian River Valley, New Zealand’s Marlborough, or Australia’s Hunter Valley – tend to ripen grapes more quickly. This results in pinot noirs with darker fruit flavors like black cherry and plum, plus a richer texture and firmer tannins due to thicker skins. These wines often show more weight and sometimes a spicier, deeper profile.

These stylistic differences are exactly the kind of clues professional tasters look for when identifying where a pinot noir hails from, and they’re part of what makes exploring this grape so endlessly intriguing.

Let’s talk seasonality. Pinot noir isn’t just a fall or winter wine. Its natural acidity, moderate alcohol, and silky texture make it a dream companion for spring dishes like grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, herb-laced pasta, and even lighter fare like roasted veggies or picnic charcuterie.

You can even give it a slight chill and enjoy it on warm afternoons, where it holds up beautifully; especially those cooler-climate styles. Pinot is versatile like that. Whether you’re dining alfresco, watching the sunset, or looking for a red that won’t weigh you down, pinot noir shows up and shows off.

Where to explore cool-climate pinot for springtime sipping? If you’re feeling inspired to sip globally (or locally), here are a few standout regions worth exploring:

– Santa Barbara County, California – Our home turf delivers everything from vibrant, coastal pinot in Sta. Rita Hills to earthy, expressive wines from Santa Maria Valley.

– Willamette Valley, Oregon – A benchmark for balance, structure, and savory elegance.

– Sonoma Coast, California – Known for refined pinots with coastal minerality and floral aromatics.

– Burgundy, France – The original pinot heartland. Complex, age-worthy, and always worth the exploration.

– Central Otago, New Zealand – Bold and bright, with high-elevation finesse and dark fruit charm.

Pinot noir is the wine that keeps me guessing and that’s exactly why I love it. It’s a shape-shifter, a storyteller, and a seasonal superstar. As we welcome longer days and warmer weather, pinot offers the kind of lively, expressive energy that makes every sip feel like a celebration of spring.

So pour yourself a glass, taste where it comes from, and let this elegant grape transport you – one region, one season, one delicious bottle at a time. Cheers to discovering, indulging, and celebrating – pinot-style.