Sea Sun California Pinot Noir
Sea Sun California Pinot Noir is the Wagner family's love letter to the California coast — a 750mL Pinot Noir (around 14% ABV) sourced from coastal vineyards across Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Solano counties, where Pacific breezes temper the sun and let the grapes hang for an extended season. Winemaker Charlie Wagner — of Caymus fame — gently presses the fruit, ferments in stainless steel, and finishes with partial French-oak aging for a plush, fruit-forward Pinot: baking chocolate, berry basket, and dark cherries on the nose; a palate defined by texture and the flavor of dark cherries; soft throughout with the feel of fine cocoa powder. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Size / style: 750mL Pinot Noir, around 14% ABV
- Producer: Wagner Family of Wine — winemaker Charlie Wagner
- Sourcing: coastal vineyards in Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Solano counties
- Winemaking: gently pressed, stainless-steel fermented, partially aged in French oak
- Profile: baked cherries, vanilla, brown spice, fine cocoa; plush and silky
California in a Glass
"I like to think of this wine as California in a glass," says Charlie Wagner — and the Sea Sun project is his ongoing exploration of the state's coastal diversity. Where Caymus is all Rutherford Cabernet power, Sea Sun is softness: Pinot Noir drawn from vineyards that stretch several hundred miles down the coast, blended for a layered, approachable red that works at a dinner party and a taco truck alike. The current vintage's official tasting notes call it out simply: nose of baking chocolate, berry basket, dark cherries; palate of dark cherries, soft throughout, the feel of fine cocoa powder. Browse more red wine or discover the full Sea Sun lineup at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
A deep, alluring red, strikingly soft on nose and palate. Rich fruit character: baked cherries and pie crust, with layers of brown spice and the warm vanilla that signals perfectly integrated, lightly pressed wood. The entry is bright and fruit-driven, with lush cherry flavors; the texture is plush and silky smooth, leading into a finish that evokes milk chocolate.
How to Enjoy
Serve slightly chilled (the winery's own suggestion) in a Pinot glass. Natural pairings: cacio e pepe, carnitas tacos, spicy grilled shrimp, wild mushroom risotto — or salmon and roast chicken on the classic side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Sea Sun Pinot Noir?
Sea Sun is made by the Wagner Family of Wine — winemaker Charlie Wagner, the family behind Caymus Vineyards.
Where do the grapes come from?
Coastal California vineyards in Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Solano counties.
Is Sea Sun a sweet wine?
No — it is a dry, fruit-forward Pinot Noir; the cherry and vanilla impressions come from ripe fruit and French-oak aging, not residual sugar.
Coastal California, Wagner-style — order Sea Sun California Pinot Noir from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.