Winemaker Notes
The Haven is the original Estate vineyard. Planted in 2001, it is a microcosm of the diversity of soils within the Sonoma Coast, containing uplifted undersea volcanic rocks, sandstones, shales, and loams. It is located at 1200 feet elevation between the tiny town of Occidental and the Pacific Ocean, lying on an east-west ridge and from its south-facing slope where one can see the fog-enshrouded ocean in the distance. The vineyard is late-ripening and very cool; one of the last sites they harvest every year. After harvest, the grapes are pressed and the wine is aged for approximately 16 months in 20-25 new French oa
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium to deep ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir The Haven Vineyard gives a complex nose of red currants, cranberries and black raspberries over dried herbs, underbrush, dusty earth and fungi notes, plus hints of tree bark and black tea. Medium-bodied, the palate packs-in the intense flavor layers, with tons of earthy notes complimented by red fruits and supported by chewy tannins, finishing long with a refreshing lift. Though very tempting to drink now, this Pinot should reward cellaring, aging gracefully over the next 15+ years.
The Sonoma Coast AVA is large in area but, not counting overlapping regions like Russian River Valley, only has a few thousand acres of grapevines—and it’s no wonder. Much of the region is rugged and not easily accessible. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean’s fog and cool breezes limits the varieties that can be cultivated, but it proves to be an ideal environment for high quality Pinot Noir.
Since fog is a frequent fact of life here, as are heavy marine layers that sometimes bring rain, the best vineyards are wisely planted above the fog line, on picturesque ridges that capture enough sun to provide even ripening. That, with the overnight drop in temperature that reliably preserves acidity, results in fine expressions of Pinot Noir that often receive tremendous critic and consumer praise alike, and are often in high demand.