Pinot Noir can be a difficult grape to grow and work with but Shalini Sekhar does it with finesse. She has crafted a few for Waits-Mast Family Cellars. Waits-Mast, owned by Jennifer Waits and Brian Mast, is a small-lot boutique winery in California that produces 50 to 100 case lots each year and others are purchased from Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, and Mendocino Ridge.

2019 Waits-Mast Rose of Pinot Noir, Mendocino County

The grapes for this wine are sourced from Mendocino County and the skins and the juice “were left in contact to macerate for two hours.” This wine is salmon in color with notes of watermelon, strawberry, cantaloupe, and floral. The texture is silky and creamy. Drink now.

2015 Waits-Mast Pinot Noir, Mariah Vineyard Mendocino Ridge

These grapes are sourced from Dan Dooling and Vicki Tomola, owners of Mariah Vineyard. This wine has notes of black cherry and is earthy and spicy reminiscent of the smells of autumn. It is youthful with a long and silky finish.

2016 Waits-Mast Pinot Noir, Wentzel Vineyard, Anderson Valley

These grapes are sourced from Roland and Barbara Wentzel and this wine is a pale ruby color with note aromas and flavors of cherry, nutmeg, and vanilla.

2017 Waits-Mast Pinot Noir, Mendocino County

The grapes for this wine are a blend from two different vineyards (Anderson Valley and Oppenlander Vineyard). This wine has notes of cherry fruit and spice.

To read more about Rockstar winemaker Shalini—click here.