VINEYARD Cerise, Anderson Valley AVA
CLONES 23, 115, 37 Martini
ORIENTATION North East/South West
TRELLISING Cane/VSP
SOIL Bearwallow complex
FERMENTATION 100% concrete; 2% whole cluster
ÉLEVAGE 28% new French oak for 17 months, 12% Wood Cask for 14 months, then 100% of the blend was aged in stainless steel for 1 month
ALCOHOL 13.8%
pH 3.67
TA 5.16 g/L
AROMA
Earth-driven aromas of mushrooms, wet bark, and forest floor, with notes of vanilla, raspberry, cherry, and a hint of peppercorn.
Palate
Savory and fresh, showing wild strawberries, vibrant acidity, and subtlytextured tannins
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 2023 growing conditions allowed Cerise Vineyard to flourish, yielding fruit of remarkable concentration and nuance. Fermented in a combination of stainless steel,oak, and concrete tanks, the wine was aged for 17 monthsin 28% new French oak, followed by 14 months in large-format wood casks and a final month in stainless steel to unify its purity and energy.
A captivating nose of earthy mushrooms, wet bark, and rustic cedar is layered with notes of vanilla, raspberry, cherry, blackberry, rose hips, and a touch of peppercorn. On the palate, rich wild strawberries lead into a textured mid-palate, beautifully framed by vibrant acidity and refined, subtly integrated tannins.
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.
With soaring aromas and pure, exquisite flavors, these are incredible wines from a not-to-be-missed vintage.
– Julien Howsepian
