Pinot Noir
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY - ROCHIOLI VINEYARD
Many would argue that the Pinot Noir fruit from Rochioli Vineyard has no equal in the New World. Unquestionably, historical reviews of wines produced from this property would emphatically support such claim. This success is no doubt attributable to a complex mixture of variables, including grapevine maturity, clone and rootstock selection, microclimate, soil and most importantly the commitment of Joe Rochioli to do whatever is required to continue to deliver the finest wine grapes obtainable year after year.
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY - ALLEN VINEYARD HILLSIDE BLOCKS
Our Allen Vineyard Pinot Noirs have been some of our most awarded and highly acclaimed wines of the past decade. However we only produce the Allen Vineyard designates in the most exceptional of vintages. For example, we did not produce an Allen Vineyard Pinot Noir in 1989, 1993, 1996 or 2000.
The Allen Vineyard (contiguous to the Rochioli Vineyard) is now leased and farmed by the Rochioli family. In addition the obvious considerations of meticulous farming, location, climate and soil, there may be another factor which contributes to the success of wines produced from the Allen and Rochioli vineyards. These may be among the first vineyards in the Russian River Valley to be planted to the highly desirable "Pommard" clone. Conversely, the vast majority of Pinot Noir vines planted in California during this period (late 1960’s) were "Martini" clone, a sparkling wine clone not well suited for still red wine production.
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY - STARR RIDGE VINEYARDS
Starr Ridge Vineyard includes approximately eighteen acres of Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir clonal selections include the Dijon clones 114, 115, 777 and Pommard clone 5. The Dijon clones were selected for their contribution of vibrant fruit, generous acidity and tremendous structure, while the Pommard clone offers the sensuous, velvety mouthfeel and optimal richness in the finished wine. Clonal blending is one of many important tools utilized in crafting the finest Pinot Noir wines from the Russian River Valley and other regions.
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY - HALLBERG VINEYARD
The 100-acre Hallberg Vineyard is named for previous owners Don and Marcia Hallberg and today owned by a small group of invenstors headed by Brice Jones, formerly of Sonoma Cutrer. The vineyard is meticulously farmed by Kirk Lokka, also a veteran of Sonoma Cutrer, and the commitment to quality of the current owners coupled with the site’s exceptional soils give this property boundless potential. The land is located two miles north of Sebastopol, on both sides of the Gravenstein Highway...directly on the "Gold Ridge" - the name given to the predominate soils of the area. These soils are sandy and well-drained composed mainly of a tan topsoil of alluvial deposits along with an underlying gold layer of clay. The topsoil provides nutrients and moisture retention, while the clay limits vine vigor.
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY - BIEN NACIDO VINEYARDS
With a rich history, beginning in 1837 as a Spanish land grant, Bien Nacido Vineyards have now become one of the most prestigious and best known vineyards in the Santa Maria appellation - a region which owes much of its reputation as a producer of world Pinot Noir. Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery has sourced fruit from this historic vineyard for more than twenty years. The Pinot Noir is sourced primarily from Q block, the oldest blocks on the property.