In the de-stemming and sorting process, thousands of seeds were harvested from the Carl Meyer grapes.
Sashi saved seeds in buckets by his feet. The seeds were then thoroughly cleaned with water. The seeds went
into cold storage (refrigerators) encased in dirt. In 2007, when the vineyards of Domaine de la Côte were
planted, 1 acre of seedlings was sown along Memorious’ windward edge. It is that
Memories takes its title. Of the 7,000 seedlings planted, 5,000 survived. Of the 5,000 living ones, approximately 500
are currently producing grapes and produced. Perfect flowers were produced by those 500 vines.
J. Lohr produced its first Estate wines in 1987, the Riverstone Chardonnay and Seven Oaks Cabernet
Sauvignon. In the 30 years since, J. Lohr Estates has become one of California’s most successful brands,
offering both quality and value. A majority of the wines are made from the more than 4,000 acres of estate
fruit in addition to partnerships with leading growers in the Arroyo Seco Monterey, Monterey County or Paso
Robles appellations. J. Lohr recently introduced a modern look for its labels; the first label change in over 25
years. Go to J.Lohr.com.
There’s also an unbelievable long shot that by planting from seed and distributing a vineyard on its own roots,
phylloxera-resistant Vitis vinifera might be found. The owners remark, “This would be the viticultural equivalent
of winning the PowerBall.”
If success is achieved in discovering vines whose fruit expresses Pinot Noir, then there will be a refresh
of the material of Pinot Noir. Refreshing the material of Pinot Noir portends a
more healthy, less vulnerable variety, capable of flourishing another 2,000 years.
FEL Wines, Yountville, CA
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Black Kite Cellars focuses on producing small lots of Pinot Noir from the blocks in the estate Kite’s Rest
Vineyard in Anderson Valley, as well as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from expressive vineyard sites in the
Santa Lucia Highlands and the Sonoma Coast. Go to www.blackkitecellars.com.
Black Kite Cellars, Santa Rosa, CA
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Published at Fri, 27 Oct 2017 19:09:07 +0000
Domaine De La Côte, Lompoc, CA
Founded in 1990 by former CBS foreign correspondent Doug Tunnell, this is one of the Oregon wineries I
seen with or have never really connected. Tunnell was a pioneer in organic and biodynamic grape
farming in Oregon. His 40-acre Brick House Estate Vineyard is planted to both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in
the Ribbon Ridge AVA. A small quantity of Gamay Noir is also planted and produced. Tunnell crafts 3500 cases
annually in a converted barn winery and are consistently lauded from the wine press. The winery is open
by appointment and on Memorial Day and Thanksgiving weekends. Go to www.brickhousewines.com.
Memorious Vineyard reportedly developed a new dimension in the 2015 classic. Natural concentration generated a Memorious with greater depth of expression and sophistication than was evident in
previous vintages. This was clearly evident to me even though I had been unaware of the owners’ realization until
after I had sampled the Domaine’s wines.
Briceland Vineyards, Redway, Humboldt County, CA
This project owned by sommelier Rajat Parr and winemaker Sashi Moorman in the Sta. Rita Hills is composed of
six vineyards developed in 2007. The vineyards are planted entirely to California heritage selections at
high vine densities, unprecedented for the AVA. The six wineries are Memories (3.5 acres), Bloom’s field (7.5 acres), Siren’s Call (3 acres), Clos Juliet (1 acre), La Côte (9.5 acres) and 15.5 acres of appellation
Sta. Rita Hills. The wines are sold through a mailing at www.domainedelacote.com. I have to admit that the
Domaine de la Côte is one of the wineries I purchase from each year for the wines are truly revelatory.
The two labels are produced under the Small World Wine Company, LLC. Compton Family Wines is the
end wines that are dedicated to the growing areas of the vines, while Spindrift reflects growing areas
and is value priced. Go to www.spindriftcellars.com or www.comptonwine.com.
Situated on broken hills that are predominantly south-facing, the vineyard is now between 9 and 14-years-old allowing
the vines to flourish with irrigation. A
tasting room is located on Main Street in the town of Cambria in which Riesling and Chardonnay are also offered.
Go to www.cutruzollavineyards.com.
A family owned winery established in 2003 in the Willamette Valley. Matt Compton moved to Oregon
from New Jersey in 1995. In his younger days, he had many days it was in a ponytail and long blonde hair. Matt
is a trend setter who steps outside the box, works hard, and puts his heart into making Pinot Noir. He has two decades of experience and experience . Matt met his now wife Tabitha in 1996 on a blind date. The Compton family has grown that enjoy working vineyards with Matt and
helping, but more often, playing in the winery.
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A boutique winery producing small amounts of Pinot Noir and varietals from wineries in Humboldt,
Mendocino and Lake counties in Northern California. The winery was originally founded in 1985 by winemaker
Joe Collins and his partner Maggie Carey. Today, Andrew Morris has assumed ownership and winemaking
duties. The winery has been a long time contributor of wines for review to the PinotFile.Visit
www.bricelandvineyards.com.
The 2015 classic marks the classic from the Domaine and is the smallest classic bottled. A
bottling from Siren’s Call Vineyard isn’t reviewed here. Environmental stress was high at this site leaving
little of this wine. Siren’s Call is available as a case with a limit of 1 case per person.
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One of the 500 are red grapes, pinkish (grey) grapes and white grapes. Probably Pinot Noir, Gris and Blanc.
Marking of the vines producing fruit came elimination of grapes and next from the selection pool.
Over the subsequent few vintages, the plan is to tag a selection of vines whose fruit provides a
consistent expression of Pinot Noir. By 2020 the owners expect to isolate a small number of vines from which to
fulfill the greatest promise of the seedlings. From the precious vines, cuttings will be required for new
plantings. From vines’ selection , additional cuttings will be taken from 2020 ahead, replanting the
cuttings and building up a new vineyard in the Domaine.
J. Lohr Estates, Central Coast, CA
To
plant from seed, the vine from which you collect seeds cannot be hybridized, the seedlings must be planted
where phylloxera does not exist, and the seedlings must produce perfect flowers so they may successfully selfpollinate.
The high pH soils, cool temperatures and dry conditions at Domaine de la Côte are inhospitable to
phylloxera. The seedlings were sourced from an isolated vineyard in the Sonoma Coast, the Carl Meyer
Vineyard at the end of Taylor Lane near Occidental. Planted to Dijon clones and Swan selections of Pinot Noir,
this solitary vineyard offered fruit with a low likelihood of hybridization from cross-pollination.
This is a very rare undertaking in the world of
viticulture, because planting Vitis vinifera from seed is fraught with challenges and impossible where phylloxera
is present.
Cutruzzola Vineyards, San Luis Obispo, CA
Spindrift Cellars/Compton Family Wines, Philomath, OR
Brick House Wine Company, Newberg, OR
This 68-acre estate near Cromwell and near Felton Road has 27.5 acres planted to mostly Pinot Noir
vines. Ted Lemon, owner and winemaker at Littorai, has been a partner with the Sauvage family, Americans
hailing from Kansas. The property’s vines began setting the first commercial wine and fruit in 2006. I have reviewed Burn Cottage Pinot Noir from four vintages. Claire Mulholland, former
head winemaker in Martinborough Vineyards and Amisfield is the winemaker. The interesting images
on the tag are from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s biodynamic allegory, “The Green Snake & the Beautiful
Lily,” appropriate since the Burn Cottage Vineyard is biodynamically farmed in keep with Lemon’s firm
commitment to this kind of viticulture. Imported by Classic Wines LLC, Denver, CO.. Go to www.burncottage.com.
Talented winemaker Ryan Hodgins creates estate wines that strike an impressive balance between power
and elegance. Savoy Vineyard is located in the “deep end” of the Anderson Valley in which it enjoys a large
diurnal temperature range, with warm summer days and cool nights. Planted in 1991 by Richard
Savoy, this vineyard was acquired by Cliff Ledge, owner of Lede Family Wines, in 2011. The 44 acres are
planted to a varied blend of Dijon and heritage clones of Pinot Noir (38 acres) and Chardonnay (6 acres).
Hodgins manages Savoy’s farming and viticulture, and oversees the vineyard relationships with other
manufacturers who craft bottling from Savoy Vineyard including Littorai, Peay, Radio-Coteau,
Auteur and Failla. 2018 marks the anniversary of the Anderson Valley AVA and the anniversary of
Hodgins making wine from Savory Vineyard. Go to www.felwines.com.
Source: Wine
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