April 8, 2026 (Santa Maria Valley, CA) — Presqu’ile Winery has released The Point, a 2022 estate Pinot Noir sourced exclusively from Block Five, the highest elevation block on the Santa Maria Valley estate. The Point is available exclusively in three-bottle boxed sets for $390. The four-barrel production is the estate’s most limited release to date.
The winery produces The Point from a 4.5-acre, single block, which reaches approximately 1,000 feet in elevation and sits about 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The site lies directly in the path of the marine layer that moves through the Santa Maria Valley.
“The Point comes from the most wind-exposed, shallowest soils and warmest block we farm, allowing a longer, drawn-out growing season,” said Presqu’ile Co-founder Matt Murphy. “After developing this site and concept for 15 years, it’s the wine that answers the question of why we do what we do… it’s elegant and unmistakably a reflection of this place.”
Block Five is planted to Mt. Eden, Swan and Calera Pinot Noir clones in Marina sand and Garey sandy loam soils. The SIP-certified block is farmed by hand using organic practices. The wine was fermented in stainless steel, aged for 11 months in 100% neutral French oak and finished in stainless steel for an additional six months.
Central to the development of Block Five is Presqu’ile Director of Farming and Viticulture Andrew Heilbrun, whose estate knowledge and focus on biodiverse, sustainable farming has shaped the block’s evolution over the past several years. His “patient, hands-on approach to understanding the site’s unique conditions” is what Winemaker Dieter Cronje credits with transforming Block Five’s potential.
“We made wine from Block Five for many years, but it never felt different enough to stand alone until Andrew,” said Cronje. “It has a shallow, impermeable layer of sandstone about three feet down that stresses the vines in a particular way — and that tension is part of what makes it special. In the glass, that tension shows up as depth and concentration of flavor, with the chaparral undertones that are a hallmark of our Presqu’ile estate.”
Presqu’ile uses the name “The Point” to represent two meanings: an homage to the Murphy family’s original peninsula-like gathering place on the Gulf Coast, referred to as “The Point,” as well as the purpose of their winemaking.
“The point of Presqu’ile Winery’s existence has always been to make great Pinot Noir, and this release is the most direct expression of that commitment and our family history,” said Murphy.
The label features a photograph shot by Presqu’ile Director of Hospitality and Sales Tim Wanner at Refugio point break, a local surf spot along the Santa Barbara County Coastline. According to the winery, the surf location and The Point winemaking process both represent a rare alignment of conditions.
The Point is available exclusively in three-bottle boxed sets at $390 per set, with Wine Club member pricing applied at checkout. Production is limited and the wine is not available for individual bottle purchase or tasting room pours.
“There’s a tier of Pinot Noir drinker who has been waiting for Presqu’ile to make this wine, and a tier that doesn’t know us yet, but should. The Point speaks to both,” said Director of Marketing Alex Gerberick.
About Presqu’ile Winery
Presqu’ile (press-KEEL) is a family-owned estate winery in the Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County — one of California’s most distinctive appellations. The name, French Creole for “almost an island,” reflects the Murphy family’s Gulf Coast roots and a sense of place that runs through everything the winery does.
Founded in 2007, Presqu’ile farms its hilltop estate sustainably, producing cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah wines. The estate offers an onsite and locally grown culinary program led by Chef Julie Simon, alternate tasting and adventure experiences, and a growing arts and culture program in partnership with the Los Angeles Nomadic Division (LAND).
Presqu’ile wines are available at presquilewine.com, select retailers, and in the tasting room, open Wednesday through Monday.
