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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James Suckling
The red cherries and subtle, leafy complexity, sweet spices, fresh earth and then savory notes, lead to a suave, long palate. This is seductive pinot at its very best. Super elegant and rich. Plush and luxuriant with tannins that command so gently now, but will deliver in time. Sheer pinot perfection.
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Jeb Dunnuck
From vines planted in 2001 and a cooler site that’s the last to be harvested, the 2016 Pinot Noir The Haven Vineyard has a beautiful perfume of ripe strawberries, flowers, and Asian spices. It’s about as classic Sonoma Coast as it gets and has fine tannin, a light, silky texture, and a great finish. It’s certainly one of the more friendly, approachable wines in the lineup as well.
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.