Vineyards & Vintage Notes

McDonald Mountain Vineyard is nestled in a very cool area near the border of the Russian River Valley and the Petaluma Gap, where the fog is first to arrive inland from the Pacific Ocean in the morning, and last to burn off in the afternoon. The vineyard was planted in 2008 on one to four feet of Goldridge sandy loam underlain with Los Osos clay. The diverse clonal selection includes 115, 667, 777, Pommard, 828, and Elite, the latter being a suitcase selection that produces exotic fruit characteristics. The cool temperatures, daily fog, breezy afternoons, steep slopes, and dry farming practices all contribute to the production of very small, but extremely flavor-packed clusters and berries that always retain plenty of natural acidity. 2021 was a spectacular vintage. It was a drought year, so Mother Nature was responsible for trimming yields and producing a plentiful and beautifully balanced crop. The summer months gave us perfectly moderate ripening weather with very few heat spikes, allowing the grapes to ripen evenly while yielding excellent hang time to develop lots of flavor and produce world-class wines.

Tasting Notes

A perennially intiguing wine, the MicDonal Mountain Pinot Noir is loaded with power and depth while proudly displaying its savory, cool climate origins. Beguiling aromas of coastal tree leaves, graphite, and cedar overlay a touch of dried pomegranate and tart red fruits before drawing you into its full-bodied boldness. Piquant flavors of black tea, citrus, and cardamom are buoyed by mouthwatering acidity and firm, palate-coating tannins. Well-structured for long-term aging, the 2021 has hidden intrigue to be revealed in the years ahead.