Winemaker Notes
Along with Campbell Ranch and Abbey Harris, Comptche Ridge makes up the 3 sites we lease and have complete control over the farming. In 2017 this wine commands attention for its marvelously complex and expressive character. Incredibly floral at first, then spice and dark fruits take over with the sites petrichor scents and flavors developing after exposing to air. Depth of flavor, length on the palate and longevity to age define this vintage of Comptche, and speak to this sites greatness.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
A large and diverse appellation within California’s North Coast AVA, Mendocino is home to several smaller sub-regions—most notably the Anderson Valley. This scenic region, with rolling hills covered in redwood forests as well as vineyards, is one of the world’s top producers of certified organically-grown grapes. Due to wide geographical and climatic variation, a vast array of wine styles can be found here.