Hitching Post Bravely Launches Merlot in Pinot Noir Wine Country

Business Wire, Feb 12, 2008

Westerly, Alisos and Santa Barbara Cuvees to Release in 2008

BUELLTON, Calif. -- Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini of Hitching Post Winery, the Santa Barbara County winery known for its deliciously balanced Pinot Noirs, including the signature Highliner, announce the release of their first Merlot since they began making wine in 1979.

Hitching Post Winery is releasing two cuvees on March 1, 2008 with 2004 Merlot, Westerly Vineyard and 2005 Merlot, Alisos Vineyard, both retailing for $25. In June 2008, they will release 2006 Merlot, Santa Barbara County, a blend from McGinley Vineyard in Happy Canyon and Alisos Vineyard in Los Alamos.

Owners Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini have come full circle with these new releases. In 1979 they made their first wine, a Santa Ynez Valley Merlot, crafted to pair with the wood-fired cuisine of Ostini's Hitching Post steak restaurant. Although their first winemaking results with Merlot were good, their quest for quality led them to Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley in 1981, and for many years they made Pinot Noir exclusively. As the hit movie Sideways featured Santa Barbara Pinot Noirs, Hitching Post Winery was thrust into international recognition. Hitching Post Winery now bottles twelve different Pinots, along with Syrah and their Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend, Generation Red. The new releases bring a return to the Merlot of their origins.

The winemakers are anticipating the reaction of their new releases from a Pinot Noir-loyal public devoted to Santa Barbara County's specialty. "Merlot has always been an under-appreciated grape in Santa Barbara, and the slam from the movie (Sideways) didn't help matters either," says Gray Hartley. In recent years, Santa Barbara Merlot has been on a steady upward spiral of quality improvement as growers have learned the right ways to grow Merlot, and have planted it in appropriate locations that are warmer than the coastal valleys that do so well with Pinot Noir. Ostini is pleased with their results, adding, "Santa Barbara Merlot offers a great price to wine quality ratio. This kind of value is typical of undiscovered gems until they are found by the masses. Hitching Post Winery is proud to offer such a fine wine at a price that represents great value. We are bullish on Merlot!"

Hitching Post Winery will debut their Merlot in Miami, Florida on February 22nd at the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival's Burger Bash, hosted by the Food Network's Rachael Ray. Hitching Post will grill hamburgers over their famous oak-wood fire, and serve them with their signature French fries and Hitching Post Merlot. Ostini says "Merlot, with its mild tannins and juicy fruitiness, is a perfect match to the smoky flavors of outdoor grilling. I can't think of a better wine to drink when barbecue season comes around this summer. We'll definitely be drinking Merlot!"

Hitching Post Merlot will be available at the Wine Cask's annual Santa Barbara Futures Tasting on April 12, 2008 that features the best wines of the region. Hitching Post wines are also available throughout the United States at a select group of retailers and fine dining restaurants. The wines may be purchased at the Hitching Post II restaurant in Buellton, California, or on the internet (shipping to some states excluded) at www.HPwines.com. Hitching Post wines have a large audience among wine aficionados and have been favorably reviewed in Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.

For further information on the Hitching Post Restaurant & Winery, please visit www.hitchingpost2.com.

Digital imagery available.

Wine notes and selected samples available by request.