In 2006 we planted our eight-acre estate vineyard to the heritage clones Swan, Calera, Martini, Pommard and Dijon 115. Today, Akiko Freeman works closely with our vineyard manager to make all the decisions at Gloria. It is not an easy site to farm, with its very steep hillsides and different exposures, from the top of the hill to the bottom.

Of all the vineyards where we saw reduced crops in 2015, Gloria Estate produced the lowest yield. The vines got off to a promising, early start over the course of a warm, fairly dry winter; but then May cooled down to well below normal levels, right in the middle of flowering. Set was uneven, and the tiny Pinot clusters at Gloria gave us only six tons of fruit from eight acres. On the positive side, the quality of the fruit was exceptional.

With subtle aromas driven as much by terroir as by fruit, the ripeness of the 2015 vintage comes through more on the palate than on the nose of the Gloria Estate Pinot Noir. Once tasted, you appreciate the full development of the wine, with its bright berry flavors, supple tannin and moderate acidity. As with every vintage of Gloria since the first in 2012, this is the real crowd pleaser in the Freeman lineup. Expect the ’15 Gloria to be at its best from late 2017 through 2025.