VINEYARD Pisoni, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
CLONES Pisoni
ORIENTATION East / West
TRELLISING VSP
SOIL Arroyo Seco gravelly sandy loam, fluvents, placentia sandy loam
FERMENTATION 100% concrete
ÉLEVAGE 30% new French oak for 16 months, prior to bottling 100% stainless steel for 1 month
ALCOHOL 14.1%
pH 3.61
TA 5.6 g/L
AROMA
A captivating arrangement of strawberry, orange, and wild sagebrush.
PALATE
Polished, with a keen focus that emphasizes excellent tannins and structure. The wine unfolds with a profound depth and remarkable complexity.
Pisoni Vineyard, widely acclaimed as one of California’s most esteemed winegrowing sites, has played an instrumental role in elevating the status of Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noirs. Perched at 1,300 feet of elevation, the southeastern exposure, in addition to granite and sandstone soils, traditionally yields a dramatic wine with incredible color and concentration. There are 45 planted acres divided into small blocks that follow the contours of the mountains. The lean, decomposed soils are well-drained, imparting innate stress upon the vines, forcing their roots to run deep into the earth.
The 2021 Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir is full of wonder with alluring ripe strawberry and zesty orange aromas. It boasts exquisite concentration, accompanied by robust tannins and a gorgeous structure. Fermented exclusively in concrete, aged in new French oak, and prior to bottling, spent one month in stainless steel, this wine is classic Santa Lucia Highlands and a triumphant return to our Single Vineyard Series.
Fact of Note: The Pisoni blend comprises one single ferment in concrete with a small portion of vineyard-pressed wine.
THE SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS IS recognized for producing some of California’s most powerful yet intricate and impeccably balanced Pinot Noirs. Perched upon the East-facing terraces of the Santa Lucia Mountains, the vines are consistently cooled by wind and fog drawn from the depths of Monterey Bay.
Within this region is the city of Salinas, an agricultural town surrounded by fruit and vegetable growers with a comprehensive climate blended of coastal breezes and sun that is ideal for grape-growing. There are plenty of favorite local hangouts to discover if you make the stop. The BBQ is truly magical and worthy of a detour in and of itself.
