Alcohol: 13%
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Tasting Notes: A fragrant wine, bursting with brambly red raspberry, rhubarb, watermelon and sweet clover that mingle with lightly-roasted espresso beans. Lively, medium-bodied, fresh and inviting with flavors of tangy citrus leading to farmer’s market ripe marion berries and a hint of herbal bergamot tea in the background. A beautiful herbaceous pop adds dimension to this Pinot with silky tannins and grippy acidity, and finishes with elevated acid. A true expression of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.
Notes: Pinot Noir is King in Oregon due to the cooler climate, which naturally allows the grapes to retain acid and limit sugar accumulation, leading to lower alcohol. Although 2021 was a warm year in Oregon, we picked prior to any major heat spikes. The grapes were sourced all over Willamette Valley, including a vineyard called Halona Woods that AJ manages in the new Mt Pisgah AVA, inclusive of both of Oregon’s famous soils, Belpine and Jory. Including 20% whole-cluster, the fermentation was slow in stainless steel open tops, allowing dynamic avor extraction from grapes prior to gentle pressing. The wine was then aged for 9 months with 15% new oak to add a lift and the balance is neutral French oak.
Food pairing: Rare North Pinot Noir works best with dishes that mirror its bright red‑fruit character, lively acidity, and subtle earthy notes, so it shines alongside roasted chicken or turkey, pork tenderloin with herbs, duck breast, mushroom dishes, and salmon or seared tuna. Its balance of berry, citrus, and gentle herbal tones also pairs well with roasted root vegetables, tomato‑based pastas, and cheeses like Gruyère, Brie, or goat cheese, all of which complement the wine’s silky texture and understated complexity without overwhelming it.
Winery Story: Sean’s story traces a path from early artistic roots to a career that blends creativity with wine. Raised in Moorpark, he grew up surrounded by art, music, and restaurant life, sketching constantly and watching his uncle paint while his parents taught music and his father managed kitchens. Encouraged by a professional artist, he attended the Art Center College of Design and earned a BFA, later working in galleries until a cycling injury pushed him toward fine dining. Fourteen years in restaurants deepened his appreciation for wine, eventually leading him to Santa Barbara and a sales role at Epic Wines & Spirits. After the company sold, he launched SB Wine Brokers while continuing to make art with his children. Meeting winemaker Alisa Jacobson (“AJ”) sparked a creative partnership that merged his artwork with wine labels, culminating in his first release, Revealed by Sean Best, in 2022.
AJ’s journey is rooted in viticulture, sustainability, and global winemaking experience. A UC Davis–trained winemaker, she has crafted wines across California and around the world, rising to Vice President of Winemaking at Joel Gott Wines before founding Turning Tide. Her mission centers on expressing vineyard character and advancing sustainable farming. She now produces wines under Turning Tide, AJ, and Rare North—brands that reflect both her California heritage and her work in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where she manages the Halona Woods Vineyard. Based in San Luis Obispo County, she owns vineyards in the Santa Ynez AVA, consults for wineries, and serves on multiple industry boards and research committees, contributing to the future of West Coast viticulture.
Together, Sean and AJ’s stories intersect through a shared vision: using wine as a medium for both artistic expression and thoughtful, sustainable winemaking.
