Wine Maker Notes Our Pinot Noir vineyards are planted in the Petaluma Gap region (50%) of the Sonoma Coast appellation and on our Estate in Sonoma-Carneros (50%) on a Southwest facing hillside (Sonoma-Carneros is also situated in the Sonoma Coast AVA). The PetGap vineyards vary from shallow hillsides to deeper and richer valley plantings. The Carneros vineyards are planted in rocky soil and produce a small but intensely flavorful yield. These cool growing regions are well-known for producing some of California’s finest Pinot Noir.

Technical Notes Grapes were hand-harvested, de-stemmed and pumped directly to stainless steel fermenting tanks. Wine yeast was introduced and fermentation began. The cap of grape solids was “pumped over” three times a day to extract color and flavor and wines were pressed shortly after dryness then settled and racked. Aging took place for 12 months in 35% new French medium-toasted oak imparting slight vanilla and toffee flavors careful not overpower the delicate spearmint and strawberry of this varietal.