A Focus on Premier Pinot Noir Vineyards
 ach vintage, we identify premier vineyards in California's best Pinot Noir growing regions to produce elegant, distinctive and food-friendly wines. Throughout the season, we monitor conditions in the vineyards -- working closely with vineyard managers and our consulting winemaker, Eric Buffington, to shape the crop, maximize flavor and pick when conditions are right.
Our featured vineyards are:
La Cruz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
This acclaimed vineyard is located in the Petaluma Gap area of the Sonoma Coast appellation. Managed by Keller Estate, the majority of the La Cruz Vineyard resides on the lower hills of the property. The soils of La Cruz Vineyard are multi-layered, mineral-ladened clays that were once San Pablo Bay sea beds. This mineral character comes through in all of the wines and is very much a part of Keller Estate’s unique terroir.
We are especially intrigued by the commitment Keller Estate has made to sustainable winegrape growing. They recently completed the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance's Sustainable Winegrowing Program.
View production notes for our 2009 La Cruz Pinot Noir >
View production notes for our 2008 La Cruz Pinot Noir >
Bacigalupi Vineyard, Russian River Valley
This meticulously farmed vineyard on the bank of the Russian River has a permanent place in Northern California's wine lore, growing fruit that helped Chateau Montelena win the 1976 Judgment of Paris. In 2009, Charles and Helen Bacigalupi's grapes yielded a round and concentrated Fourth Estate Pinot Noir, with the distinctive richness of the Russian River Valley.
View production notes for our 2009 Bacigalupi Vineyard Pinot Noir >
Doctor's Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands
Sustainably farmed and managed by Hahn Estates, Doctor's Vineyard is located in the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey, California. The 193 acre vineyard is comprised of 11 different clones of Pinot Noir which are planted in sandy and rocky loam soils in an east-facing orientation. The vineyard sits well abocve the fog line yet still received abundant morning and afternoon coastal breezes, delivering even airflow throughout the ripening clusters.
View production notes for our 2008 Doctor's Vineyard Pinot Noir >
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