WINE
RECENT RELEASE
2022 Pinot Noir, Mindego Ridge Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains
93 Points - The Wine Independent
Winemaker Notes:
This wine comes from the Mindego Ridge Vineyard in the northwest corner of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, 40 miles south of San Francisco. Owners Dave and Stacey Gollnick planted their charming 10 acre vineyard in 2009, at an elevation of 900 feet and 9 miles away from the Pacific Ocean. The marine influence and higher elevations keep temperatures at this site cool and moderate especially during the warmer ripening months. The hillside soils are thin and sedimentary in origin, contributing to the concentration, minerality and distinct varietal expression in the grapes.
These grapes were picked on September 16th and were fully destemmed before resting on cold soak for 3 days. Fermentation commenced with gentle pump overs and punch downs for 10 days. The wine was then aged in 30% new French oak barrels for 15 months prior to bottling in December 2023.
77 Cases Produced
14.1% abv
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Aromatically, this wine is brimming with ripe bing cherry and wild raspberry, along with hints of sweet tobacco and cinnamon spice. The palate is coating and medium weight, with core flavors of pomegranate, plum and blood orange against a backdrop of vibrant acidity. Fine-grained tannins complete the picture and add length to the red fruit profile.
RECENT RELEASE
2022 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
94 Points - The Wine Independent
Winemaker Notes:
This wine comes exclusively from the Fallen Leaf Vineyard in the western hills above Sonoma and was picked in early September 2022. After a gentle squeeze in the bladder press, it was fermented in 50% new French oak barrels and 50% seasoned French oak barrels. The lees were stirred weekly for the first few months of the wine's life, then left to rest in barrel for 15 months . The wine saw about 25% malolactic fermentation, to help soften the uber-bright acid that is inherent at this vineyard.
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Aromatically this wine showcases notes of yellow peach, baked pear, lime zest, toasted brioche and hints of white flower and herbs. The palate is soft and weighty with a pronounced viscosity, and finishes with a juicy, succulence framed with vibrant acidity. Core flavors of white peach and toasted hazelnut give way to lengthy notes of lemon curd and orange creamsicle.
13.6% abv
98 Cases Produced
2019 Wendling Vineyard Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley - SOLD OUT
Winemaker Notes:
Wendling Vineyard is perched on a steep hillside facing southwest towards the Pacific Ocean, in what's familiarly called the "deep end" of Anderson Valley. Situated 9 miles away from the Mendocino coastline this site enjoys cool, foggy mornings and warm, sunny afternoons. Soils are rocky with loam and shale foundations.
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This wine is a mix of 4 clones: 828, 115, 667 and 943. Grapes were 100% destemmed, and fermented on skins for 20 days prior to aging in 40% new French oak. The wine was aged in barrel for 17 months prior to bottling.
This Pinot Noir boasts a lively red berry freshness that works in harmony with a brooding core of dark, black cherry. The fruit is accented by leather and earth and supported by a strong framework of tannin and minerally acidity.
14.3% abv
65 Cases Produced
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Anderson Valley holds a special place in my heart. When I was a young travelling intern, it was one of the first places that exposed me to delicious coastal Pinot Noir - mainly through stints working at Williams Selyem and Schramsberg. During those times I befriended notable Anderson Valley farmer Paul Ardzrooni, and in 2014 he connected me to the first Pinot vineyard that kickstarted Mojave. Beyond the grapes, I simply love the aura of the place. It has a majestic quality that you have to experience to understand - dark and misty redwood forests, rustic yet charming old lumber mill towns, apple orchards and vineyards dotting the rolling hills, and of course the enchanting curvy highway that meanders through the redwoods out to the gorgeous Mendocino coastline.
2019 Hicks Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains - SOLD OUT
Winemaker Notes:
The Hicks Vineyard is located in the famed Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, in a sub-region known as Corralitos. Corralitos is at the very southern edge of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, about 20 minutes south of Santa Cruz. Dotted with apple orchards, flower farms and redwood trees, it is an undiscovered gem in the Santa Cruz area.
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This vineyard sits 7 miles away from the coastline, and is graced by cold, foggy mornings. Alan Hicks planted this former horse pasture to a mix of clones 115 and 667 in 2000 and has been farming it organically ever since.
The 2019 Hicks Pinot Noir was fermented with 20% stem inclusion, giving it a hint of spice and structure to frame the lush, red cherry and dark plum flavors. Fermentation lasted 14 days on skins, before moving to 30% new French oak barrels. The wine was allowed to rest in barrel with no racking for 16 months prior to bottling.
With its lush red fruit entry and elegant acidity, this wine captures the essence of the Santa Cruz Mountains region. The nose captures enticing aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry and a subtle hint of baking spices. On the palate, a harmonious blend of fruit and earthiness gives way to silky tannins, balanced acidity and dark fruits and spice on the finish.
13.5% abv
77 Cases Produced