2024 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.1%
pH 3.63
Total Acidity 5.5 g/L
Grape Varieties 100% Pinot Noir
Drinking Window Enjoyable at release and expected to gain complexity and fully develop over the following six to seven years (producer note dated October 2025).
Region Petaluma Gap
Orientation Western Exposure
Harvest Dates 12 and 20 September 2024
Brix at Harvest 23.9°
Sites Nightwing Vineyard
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Contains Added Sulfites Yes
Production Details The grapes were hand-harvested, destemmed but retained as whole berries, and fermented to dryness in eleven days with twice-daily pumpovers over a floating cap. The wine spent twelve months in barrel: 50% American and 50% French oak, comprising 20% new, 5% one-year-old, 20% two-year-old, 15% three-year-old and 40% five-plus-year-old barrels. Sulfur additions were 35 ppm at crush and 166 ppm over aging (process-stage figures, not finished-wine sulfites), followed by pad filtration at bottling. Eleven barrels were produced; the harvested vines averaged 6–7 years old.
Certifications California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA), Certified California Sustainable
Tasting Notes Blackberry, dried cherry, spiced cranberry, crushed violets, raspberry fruit leather, maple and spice cake; fine tannins and a long, juicy finish.
Vintages
2023 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.9%
Grape Varieties 100% Pinot Noir
Drinking Window Most enjoyable during the five years following the producer note dated April 2024.
Region Petaluma Gap
Orientation Western Exposure
Harvest Dates 5 October 2023
Brix at Harvest 24.6°
Sites Nightwing Vineyard
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Contains Added Sulfites Yes
Production Details The producer's vintage notes characterize fermentation as slow, cool and whole-berry, while its winemaking section says the grapes were destemmed and crushed and the floating cap was pumped over twice daily. The page also conflicts on barrel duration: its vintage notes state ten months, whereas its winemaking section states eleven months. Barrel composition was 50% American and 50% French oak: 20% new, 5% one-year-old, 20% two-year-old, 15% three-year-old and 40% five-plus-year-old barrels. Sulfur additions were 35 ppm at crush and 55 ppm over aging (process-stage figures, not finished-wine sulfites), followed by pad filtration at bottling. Harvested vines averaged 6–7 years old.
Certifications California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA), Certified California Sustainable
Tasting Notes Dusty strawberry, red cherry, raspberry, cranberry and cola spice; medium-bodied with a soft entry, subtle tannins, bright natural acidity, gentle toasted oak and a juicy finish.
Producer Information
Website
Address
17100 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435, USA
Phone
+1 408.867.3233
Owner
Private ownership (founding families)
Cellarmaster
John Olney (Head Winemaker & CEO)