The Paring is the second label of The Hilt and Jonata, producing wines from fruit grown on the same estate vineyards in Ballard Canyon and the Sta. Rita Hills, under the direction of winemaker Matt Dees. Where Jonata focuses on Bordeaux and Rhône varieties and The Hilt on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, The Paring assembles a more diverse portfolio including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and a Bordeaux-inspired red blend. All three labels operate under the stewardship of the same proprietorship that controls Screaming Eagle.

The Paring Sauvignon Blanc is drawn from estate vineyard blocks in Santa Barbara County’s Ballard Canyon, where the high concentration of Careaga sand and the property’s warm, inland microclimate within the wider Santa Ynez Valley produce a version of this variety that leans decidedly toward weight and texture. The 2017 was barrel-aged in a combination of one-third new French oak, one-third neutral French oak and one-third stainless steel for ten months, a hybrid approach that gives the wine both a structural frame and the freshness the variety demands.

The Paring occupies a deliberate commercial position: quality-forward wines from credible estate sources at a fraction of the price of their flagship sibling labels. Matt Dees applies the same minimalist winemaking philosophy to The Paring’s white wines as to the Hilt’s Chardonnays, relying on native yeast fermentations and avoiding additions of any kind. The Sauvignon Blanc’s textured, full-bodied character distinguishes it from the leaner California Sauvignon Blanc mainstream and gives it a distinctive identity within the label’s range.

Pale gold with an inviting nose of gooseberry, citrus blossom, fresh-cut grass and a light herbal quality, with faint saline undertones from the Ballard Canyon soils. The palate is full-bodied with a distinctive creamy texture more often associated with Chardonnay, clean acidity and a fresh, food-friendly finish. Drink now through 2024.