Ghostwriter Belle Farms Pinot Noir 2014
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Winemaker Notes
The Belle Farms has always had an earthy funkiness to it that gives it a lot of appeal and a very unique character in not only the Ghostwriter line-up, but any line-up of Santa Cruz Pinot Noirs. It’s dank with a forest floor and mushroom like pungency. 40% whole cluster.
Since beginning in 2002, The Hobo Wine Company has been a family owned and independently operated winery. In 2013, they converted an old warehouse in the historic Roseland neighborhood of Santa Rosa to be their production facility. This move allows them complete independence and full control over our winemaking and production.
Stylistically, Hobo Wine Company makes artisanally crafted wines of integrity and charm that respect their role at the table. This means they are true to character and origin, generally moderate in alcohol, and noticeable in acidity. The wines are made without commercial yeast or malolactic bacteria or other commercial additives and sulfur levels are always kept to a minimum.
There is a small tasting room at the winery, which is run on 100% local renewable energy, and they welcome visitors from around the world.
The Ghostwriter project was created by Hobo Wine Company to tap the potential of the Santa Cruz area AVAs. In early 2008, Brian Wilkerson and Kenny Likitprakong took over the farming on two of old vineyard sites, the Woodruff Family Vineyard planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and The Aptos Creek Vineyard planted to Pinot Noir. They introduced sustainable farming to the vineyards and carried that through with natural winemaking in the cellar all in an effort to emphasize the sites and their individual terroirs.
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 rugged and topographically diverse cool-climate appellation with a rich history, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches from Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, to the northern border of Monterey County. Elevations range from 800 feet to upwards of 3,000 and microclimates vary substantially depending on which side of the mountains the vineyards lie; cool ocean winds and fog play an important role here. This can be a challenging region in which to grow grapes, but it is well worth the effort. Santa Cruz Mountains wines are noted for balanced acidity levels, often showing great aging potential. Wine has been made here since the 1800s, most notably from the legendary Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello vineyard garners international admiration.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the stars of this region, while Merlot and Zinfandel also perform quite well. Organic and sustainable vineyard practices are becoming increasingly common.