Planted by Dick Graff at 1800’ elevation on a northwest-facing slope, Antle lies within sight of the Pinnacalitos, near the East entrance to Pinnacles National Park. Located within the Chalone AVA in the Gabilan Mountains, the organically farmed Antle vineyard’s limestone and decomposed granite soils are planted to old selections of Chalone, Swan, and Pommard pinot that produce a singularly expressive, intensely aromatic wine of depth, dimension, and structure that we hope transmits some of the vivid natural beauty of this otherworldly site. We picked the 2014 vintage starting at 2am on August 18th under the stars of the Milky Way and the Perseid Meteor showers, to a soundtrack provided by three separate packs of coyotes. After a year and a half in old French barrels and demimuids, we bottled, unfiltered, in January of 2016. "The vineyard’s volcanic soil, granite and limestone nestled high up near the Pinnacles National Park help coax intrigue into these lovely Chalone AVA grapes. Made of organic grapes transformed into a 13-percent-alcohol bouquet of black cherries, earth, cola and mystery herbs, this is one distinctive wine. The tannins rein everything into a well-formed harmony. Birichino’s stylistic trend toward mineral-driven, low-alcohol creations is upheld by this muscular creature, more living organism than artifact. Every moment of its tasting, from aroma to finish, feels complete and balanced. Not a weak moment in the entire experience."-Christina Waters, Good Times.