- BERGER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
- P·M STAIGER CHARDONNAY
- WILDCAT MOUNTAIN CHARDONNAY
- WOOD VALLEY CHARDONNAY
- MODEL FARM ‘ESTATE’ SYRAH
- LA CRUZ SYRAH
- SONOMA VALLEY KUENSTER-MIERS SYRAH
BERGER VINEYARD
VINEYARD: Berger
VARIETAL: Cabernet Sauvignon
LOCATION: Sonoma Mountain Road
AVA: Sonoma Mountain
The heart of many celebrated Sonoma Cabernet bottlings since the 1970’s, Berger Vineyard old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon is grown on the rugged, east-facing slopes on Sonoma Mountain. Naturally low-yielding vines impart intense aromatics and deep concentration while racy acidity and rustic tannins evoke the spirit of the classic wines that built the reputation of California.
MODEL FARM ‘ESTATE’
VINEYARD: Model Farm Estate
VARIETAL: Syrah
LOCATION: East Petaluma, CA
AVA: Petaluma Gap
In 2013 we took a long-term lease on a 2-acre Syrah vineyard located on the Eastern side of the Petaluma Gap. The vineyard was planted in the mid-1990s to 3 distinct clones of Syrah. Cold foggy mornings, a few fleeting hours of late day sun, and namesake consistent wind (reminiscent of the Rhone Valley Mistral) are ideal for producing classically styled wines. After countless hours spent in the vineyard, we have come to know and love this daily rhythm and have an even greater appreciation for how unique this area really is. Farmed exclusively by us, by hand, using only organic practices.
LA CRUZ VINEYARD
VINEYARD: La Cruz
VARIETAL: Syrah
LOCATION: Southeastern Petaluma
AVA: Petaluma Gap
La Cruz Vineyard was planted by the Keller Family beginning in 1989 and is located at the southeastern end of the Petaluma Gap appellation. With only two acres of the vineyard planted to Syrah, we are fortunate to be the only producer to purchase the fruit. La Cruz is one of the farthest vineyards from the namesake ‘Gap’ where the wind and fog funnel in from the ocean every afternoon. This slight change in climate from the rest of the appellation affords the vines extend sunshine and a bit of extra warmth, leading to deeper, richer fruit while still maintaining the trademark freshness that defines Syrah from the Petaluma Gap. We find the wines from this site to be distinct counterpoint to our ‘Estate’ Petaluma Gap Syrah.
P·M STAIGER VINEYARD
VINEYARD: P·M Staiger
VARIETAL: Chardonnay
LOCATION: Boulder Creek
AVA: Santa Cruz Mountains
Our Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay comes from a historic site located deep in the San Lorenzo Valley above the town of Boulder Creek. The P·M Staiger vineyard was planted in 1973, own-rooted, to a selection of the old Wente clone. To say it is rare to find an own-rooted Chardonnay vineyard in California is an understatement! The high elevation allows for ample sunlight while the cold pacific air moderates the temperature. As with our favorite sites, the vineyard gets plenty of fog at the start and end of each day. The soils are a thin mix of sandstone and shale promoting full flavor ripeness at low sugars and high acidity.
KUENSTER-MIERS VINEYARD
VINEYARD: Kuenster-Miers
VARIETAL: Syrah
LOCATION: Carriger Road, base of the Sonoma Mountains
AVA: Sonoma Valley
Our Sonoma Valley Syrah comes from the Kuenster-Miers Vineyard located at the southeastern base of the Sonoma Mountains. We designed and planted this vineyard in 2013 with the Kuenster-Miers family, selecting three of our favorite Syrah selections: Chave, Alban, and Noir. The volcanic gravel and clay loam soils provide enough water retention for dry-farming, and strict organic viticultural practices have been employed since the vineyards origination. Sheltered from climatic extremes, the consistent cool nights and warm days provide ideal growing conditions for classically styled Syrah of full flavor intensity and impeccable balance.
WILDCAT MOUNTAIN VINEYARD
VINEYARD: Wildcat Mountain
VARIETAL: Chardonnay
LOCATION: South West Sonoma
AVA: Sonoma Valley
Planted in 1998 by vintner Steve MacRostie, Wildcat Mountain is located on a windswept ridge-top separating Sonoma Valley from Petaluma. This old vine vineyard is planted on pure volcanic rock, high above the deep clay of the valley below. Sitting high above the valley below, the vineyard is exposed to the full brunt of wind from the Petaluma Gap and cold fog that funnels off of the San Pablo Bay. Very thin, rocky soils allow the vines to reach their optimal ripeness despite the challenging climate.
WOOD VALLEY VINEYARD
VINEYARD: Wood Valley
VARIETAL: Chardonnay
LOCATION: South East Sonoma
AVA: Sonoma Valley
Wood Valley Vineyard is a set of steep terraces, dug into pure volcanic rock. Located just east of downtown Sonoma in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains, the vineyard was planted in the 80’s to a heritage California selection of Chardonnay, the Old Wente clone. Like many of the best vineyards in Burgundy, the east-facing aspect shelters the vines from the warmer afternoon sun, allowing the grapes to retain freshness and aromatic dimension. The unique volcanic terroir gives the wine a natural mineral precision.
