VINEYARD Cerise, Anderson Valley AVA
CLONES Pommard, 23, 37, 115, 777, Martini, 2A
ORIENTATION North East/South West
TRELLISING Cane/VSP SOIL Bearwallow complex
FERMENTATION 39% stainless steel, 35% oak, 26% concrete
ÉLEVAGE 41% new French oak & 59% neutral oak for 17 months, then 100% of the blend was aged in stainless steel for 1 month
ALCOHOL 14.2%
pH 3.74
TA 5.48 g/L
AROMA
Rustic, earthy undertones meet subtle vanilla and spice aromatics; utterly transformative.
PALATE
Richly textured with vibrant character, layers of wild strawberries, and stunning depth.
Cerise Vineyard has earned its reputation as one of Anderson Valley’s most acclaimed sites, with hillsides rising to 1,600 feet and rugged exposures that challenge the vines and limit yields. Perched on steep eastern slopes 16 miles from the coast, the vineyard’s Pinot Noir blocks face west, harnessing a unique microclimate to define its signature style.
The 2022 growing conditions allowed the vineyard’s six distinctive Pinot Noir clones to thrive and produce fruit of impressive concentration and nuance. Fermented in stainless steel, oak, and concrete tanks, the wine was aged for 17 months in 41% new French oak, followed by a month in stainless steel to refine its vibrant energy.
A captivating nose of earthy mushrooms, rustic cedar, and subtle hints of vanilla is layered with blackberry, raspberry cobbler, rose hips, and a touch of white pepper. On the palate, rich wild strawberries lead into a textured mid-palate, balanced by beautiful acidity and refined tannins.
Fact of Note: A single lot of the Cerise Vineyard Pinot Noir underwent an 8-day cold soak to enhance its color, aromatics, and complexity.
SIXTY-FIVE MILES NORTH OF OUR winery in Sebastopol, CA, is the critically-acclaimed little-known AVA of Anderson Valley. Over the past quarter-century, this region has emerged as the source for some of California’s most distinctive wines.
The Estate property, the Cerise Vineyard, is our focal point for the valley. We’ve been long-time fans of the region and are thrilled to be winegrowers here ourselves. Perched on the hills above Boonville in Mendocino County, these 26 blocks planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay cascade over elevations running from 587 to 1620 feet. The warm, sunny days and cool, foggy nights and mornings of the area coupled with unforgiving terrain result in thought-provoking wines that combine a rustic spirit with stunning energy and opulence.
