Food & Wine’s #1 California Vineyard & Their Superlative Single-Vineyard Wines

Why Buy: Bien Nacido isn't just another California vineyard – it and its sister vineyard, Solomon Hills, are two of the world's most extraordinary wine estates, where high altitudes, cool maritime winds, and complex soils of chalk, marine loam, and stone create wines of profound distinction. We recently tasted through the remarkable portfolio and selected 4 to share with you – including three superlative 96-pointers – from a family-owned property that ranks among California's most sought-after sources for cool-climate grapes. Forbes puts it perfectly: "There is one vineyard that stands out—way out—when it comes to single vineyard designated wines: Bien Nacido." This "single vineyard superstar" has earned its place among Wine Enthusiast's 10 Vineyards Behind the World's Most Famous Wines, claimed a spot on Wall Street Journal's Top 5 California Vineyards, and taken home No. 1 on Food & Wine's list of the 10 Best Vineyards in California. One taste of these wines will show you why – they combine power with polish, intensity with elegance, and sing with terroir specificity.

What They're Saying: Jeb Dunnuck awarded 96 points to the Bien Nacido Estate Pinot Noir 2021, celebrating its "gorgeous bouquet" and praising the way it achieves "spot-on" balance with "beautifully integrated tannins and lively acidity” and concluding: a “stunning Pinot Noir with so much character." He was equally impressed with the 96-point Solomon Hills Estate Pinot Noir 2021, an "absolutely brilliant" wine, noteworthy for its "layered, seamless texture, integrated tannins, and gorgeous finish.” Rounding out the trio of 96-pointers: the Bien Nacido Syrah XO 2020, from the vineyard’s historic X block, which Wine Enthusiast declared a "luxury-level bottling” that is "tightly woven and built for the cellar,” combining "lavender, violet, white-pepper and purple-fruit flavors into a lovely, lively showcase."

Our Tasting Notes: There's something unmistakably, unshakably "Bien Nacido" about these wines – a signature that speaks of place with remarkable clarity, and a tribute to the craftsmanship of winemaker Trey Fletcher. The 2021 Estate Pinot Noir, from vines dating back to 1973, offers a glimmering neon ruby core that leads to an intoxicating bouquet of potpourri, dried flowers, and high-mountain sage, before revealing layers of black cherry, orange zest, and blue plum. The Chardonnay 2021 shows classic Bien Nacido character – straw and chamomile notes interweave with wet stone and lemon peel, creating a wine of remarkable structure and grace. The Solomon Hills Pinot Noir demonstrates the sister estate's equally profound terroir expression, while the Syrah XO, from the historic X block planted in 1987, is aromatically vibrant, texturally delicate, and memorably long.

The Story: The Bien Nacido story is a testament to visionary thinking and patient cultivation. The Miller family — multi-generational farmers who have tended California's Central Coast for over 150 years -- celebrated the vineyard's 50th anniversary last year. In 1973, brothers Bob and Steve Miller planted what would become one of America's most respected vineyards, choosing the name Bien Nacido – "well born" in Spanish – with characteristic foresight. The site's high elevation, diverse soils, and cooling ocean influences create ideal conditions for Burgundian and Rhone varieties. So it was hardly a surprise when, in a spirit of intrepid enterprise, they planted the Central Coast's first cool-climate Syrah. Their success with this and other varietals did not go unnoticed within the industry, with many estates seeking out their grapes for their consistent high quality and character. As a result, Bien Nacido has become the most designated single vineyard in the country, with an astounding — and unprecedented — 15,000 single vineyard releases to its name.

What to Pair Them With: These wines shine alongside dishes that match their sophistication and depth. The Pinot Noirs pair beautifully with herb-roasted game birds or mushroom-based dishes, while the Chardonnay begs for a roasted branzino or pan of garlicky shrimp. The Syrah XO calls for robust fare – a pepper-crusted ribeye, a slow-braised lamb, chicken mole.

Fun Fact: Bien Nacido serves as one of California's major viticultural nurseries for certified varietal budwood, with most vines originating from University of California at Davis stock. This commitment to quality at the genetic level helps explain why so many of America's finest Chardonnay plantings can trace their lineage back to Bien Nacido cuttings.

Our Guarantee: Remember, friends – we always buy and source directly from the estate, so you can rest assured that your wine will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance.