So coveted are the Pinot grapes from Apex, it might seem at first a shame that even an ounce might go into the making of a Rosé wine rather than a fully fleshed out red. A sip of this tiny-production pink wine dispels all that. Sustainably produced and silky on the palate, this is 100% Pinot, pressed just enough to tint the finished wine a pale salmon color. Prim’s SLH Rosé is thirst quenching at the close of a long day and full bodied enough to pair with everything from pre-dinner nibbles to the main course.

· Among the newest of Napa’s truly boutique wineries, Prim Vineyard was established by Wayne and Victoria Prim after years of seeking out the best vineyard sources and one of the California’s most sought-after winemakers, Rudy von Strasser.

·Von Strasser was the first American ever to be gifted an internship at Château Lafite-Rothschild (in 1985).

· Von Strasser’s eponymous Diamond Mountain estate was named “Winery of the Year” for 11 of the past 12 years by Wine & Spirits Magazine.

· Apex Vineyard is owned and farmed by Ray Franscioni, cousin to Gary Franscioni, who owns Rosella’s Vineyard and co-owns Garys’ Vineyard, along with another Santa Lucia legend—Gary Pisoni.

Apex Vineyard is the highest point in all of the Santa Lucia Highlands. The view from Apex is astounding. The Pinot here is, too. Apex is the source of a handful of cult Pinot Noirs, all of which sell out upon release and all of which fetch a price as extreme as their place of origin.