VINEYARD Gap’s Crown
CLONES 828, Swan, 667, 115, 114
ORIENTATION North/East
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Goulding Cobble Loam, Raynor Clay, Seeped Loam
FERMENTATION 83% stainless steel tank / 10% concrete / 20% aged in wood vessels for 15 months / 15% whole cluster / 3-5 day cold soak / 9-15 day ferment
OAK 40% new French oak / aged 15 months
ALCOHOL 14.2%
pH 3.59
TA 5.5 g/L
AROMA
Purple fruit with cherry and raspberry character. Hints of violets on the nose.
PALATE
Full body that is very dense with defined layers. Agile and fresh with hints of salt.
This Sonoma Coast vineyard was developed specically with Pinot Noir in mind. Bold sweeping elevation changes and clonal selections define this exemplary property which is farmed to exacting standards. For us, Gap’s Crown is all about a professional singular focus on Pinot Noir and we love it.
Steep hillsides and a variety of clones help add diversity to this vineyard whose aspects were carefully planted to encourage even sunlight exposure during the final stages of fruit ripening. The Sonoma Coast influence is key for Gap’s Crown – located in the Petaluma Gap where late season fog becomes trapped and takes longer to burn off. The fruit is allowed to hang a little longer creating more balanced and evolved flavors.
We’ve been working with the vineyard since 2006 and enjoy a long-term lease on 37 acres. This allows us to manage how the vineyard is farmed and exercise our influence as an estate producer. Gap’s Crown has become the backbone of our Sonoma Coast program and we believe the viticultural standards at work here are second to none.
Fact of Note: 83% in stainless steel tank.
THE SONOMA COAST, WHICH OVERLAPS with the Russian River Valley and stretches all the way to the windswept edge of the Pacific Ocean, has emerged as a hub for cool-climate wines. The vineyards are planted using the finest modern clones and viticultural techniques and have rapidly earned the region acclaim for producing some of the world’s most extraordinary Pinot Noirs.
A deserving pitstop along the Sonoma Coast is the picturesque town of Bodega. Made famous by Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” this little town is also known for incredible food from talented chefs focused on local, seasonal brilliance.
