Winemaker Notes
Laurie Hook chose to ferment most of the small lots of the gently destemmed Stanly Ranch Pinot Noir grapes in open-top fermenters, using a combination of cap punch-downs and juice pump-overs to retain the delicate, layered-fruit and spice qualities, and silky tannins, while extracting as much flavor and color as possible. Nine months of aging in French Never oak barrels (approximately one third new) followed.
The 2004 Stanly Ranch Pinot Noir features aromas of black cherry, ripe fig, and dried herbs as elegant flavors of plump berries mingle with notes of fruit tea, coriander, cola, smoke and pepper supported by silky tannins and fruit throughout the long, juicy finish.
As California's longest continuously operating winery, Beringer has been defining Napa Valley winemaking since it was founded by Jacob and Frederick Beringer in 1876. By continuing that pioneering spirit, Beringer established many 'firsts' as leaders in the wine industry. They were one of the first gravity fed facilities and among the first to operate using hand dug caves and cellars. Beringer were the first to give public tours in 1934, starting a Napa Valley hospitality tradition. They are the first and only winery to have both a red and a white wine named #1 Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator Magazine. Today, they proudly celebrate and remain true to their pioneering legacy.
As early as the 1970s Carneros became known as a source of terrific Pinot Noir, and was one of the first California regions to gain such a reputation. The combination of sunny days, cooling fog and thin clay soils are tailor-made for the variety. Another factor in Pinot Noir’s prominent place here is vintners’ willingness to experiment widely. The history of the grape in Carneros is marked by continuous research into clonal variations, viticultural techniques and site selection. Careful evaluation over time has revealed a signature flavor profile as well. Complex aromas and flavors of cherry, red berry, spice, earth and cola appear time and again in Carneros Pinot Noir. To this day the appellation remains one of California’s standard bearers for the variety.