Foxen Vineyard & Winery was founded in 1985 by partners Dick Doré and Bill Wathen. The estate is named in honor of Dick’s great-great-grandfather, English sea Captain William Benjamin Foxen. A pioneer of Santa Barbara County, Captain Foxen purchased Rancho Tianquaic, a Mexican land grant that originally totaled nearly 9,000 acres and comprised most of what is now known as Foxen Canyon. Today, the Foxed estate resides on 2000 of those acres, consistently remaining in family hands. Foxen crafts an extensive lineup of wines from their five estate vineyards (Ernesto Wickenden, Tinaquaic Alta, Tinaquaic Bajita, MaMère and Williamson-Doré), as well as sourcing from the finest vineyards throughout Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria Valley, Santa Rita Hills and Happy Canyon), all sustainably farmed. Foxen adopted the anchor as its trademark brand, just as Captain Foxen did as his ranch cattle brand.

Foxen’s Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir displays a light ruby red color, billowing from the glass with red berry and stone fruit aromas tinged with hints of purple flowers and earth. This medium-bodied Pinot possesses incredible flavors of macerated cherries, raspberry and strawberry. These juicy fruits wash across the palate supported bright acidity and silky tannins, leading to a long, elegant finish. Pair with braised chicken thighs served with roasted squash and mushrooms, pan-seared duck breast or grilled salmon fillets.