VINEYARD Giusti Ranch
CLONES 115, 777
ORIENTATION North/South & East/West
TRELLISING Uni-lateral cordon
SOIL Goldridge
HARVEST DATES September 6-7, 2012
FERMENTATION 1-ton bins, 100% de-stemmed
OAK 60% new French Oak / 16 months
ALCOHOL 14.7%
pH 3.6
TA 6.0 g/L
BOTTLING DATE January 14, 2014
AROMA
The wine shows enticing aromas of cinnamon, rich red and black berries, along with baked cherry pie.
PALATE
This fresh California Pinot is typical of the Russian River Valley appellation, and shows layered fl avors of black cherry and blackberry fruit compote.
Giusti Ranch, once known as “La Colina” (The Hill), was founded by Angelo Giusti Sr. in the 1870s, one of the first Italian immigrant families to settle in the Forestville region. Giusti Ranch has made a significant impact on Sonoma County agriculture for over 140 years. The ranch has contributed their farming and services to different parts of the community with several crops over the last century, including olives, grapes, cherries, prunes, apples, and now back to grapes in 2000. Today, the family legacy continues with grapes and olives. In 2000, the family planted 9 of its remaining 22-acre Russian River Valley appellation ranch with Pinot Noir clones 777, 667, and 115. From 2004-08, they sold their grapes to the Benziger family, and from 2009 to present, the grapes have been sold to Kosta Browne Winery. We are proud to call the Giusti family our friends and introduce the newest single vineyard offering with the 2012 inaugural vintage of Giusti Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. This ranch is truly a Sonoma County treasure and we are fortunate to have access to this incredible vineyard.
THE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY is hallowed ground for lovers of great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Here, the vines are submersed in clockwork fog and daytime temperature swings, which preserve the natural acidity essential to elegant, age-worthy wines. We work with a handful of the most beloved vineyards from this remarkable wine region considered by many to be the heartland of California Pinot Noir.
Within Russian River Valley, in a town tucked away from the main roads, you’ll find a community ranging from writer to artisan. The town of Graton is an area where local winemakers and growers take a respite and enjoy some of the many popular yet under-the-radar restaurants. During harvest, the little town is full of life and bustling.
