Russian River Valley

Vintage Notes

The 2021 vintage showcased the advantages of growing grapes on the coast in a drought year. Where some parts of the state were abnormally warm, the coast remained moderate and stable, allowing for winemaking-through-farming. We were able to carefully manage tonnage and let the fruit hang precisely as long as we wished, developing full phenolic ripeness while still preserving the acidic quality that is so characteristic of the coast. Of course, drought means less water, but the lack of severe heat days on the coast meant the vines, though water-stressed, were not overly so. Overall, look forward to a banner year for Pinot and Chardonnay, with wines that will be bright, concentrated, and age-worthy.

Winemaker Notes

“Lots of ripe Bing cherries, mulberries, baking spices, and cola notes emerge from the 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers loads of spice and incense on the palate, ripe tannins, and a good spine of acidity. It’s already complex and drinking nicely yet should easily keep for 7-8 years.”

– 92pts, Jeb Dunnuck