Winemaker Notes
The Wendling Vineyard is located 335-500 feet elevation on a south-facing slope just nine miles from the Pacific Ocean near the hamlet of the Navarro within the Anderson Valley. This is the most northwesterly vineyard in the AVA and is farmed using organic and biodynamic methods, though it is not certified. The soils are red and well-drained, shallow sandy loam, sandstones, and shales.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Striking earthy, foresty freshness with fresh-mushroom and spiced-blueberry aromas, too. Complex pinot here. The palate has a very succulent feel with supple, vibrant red to dark cherries, blueberries and flashes of plums. There’s a wealth of fuller tannin that wraps the fruit nicely.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This comes from a block of younger vines planted in 2009. "I developed the property with the owners, and in exchange for my soil work, they let me pick my block." Pale to medium ruby, the 2017 Pinot Noir Wendling Vineyard Block E has a very concentrated nose of warm crushed blackberries and black cherries, dried rose petal, saline, smoke, sweet strawberry and raspberry preserves with notions of amaro, dusty earth and old leather. The palate is light to medium-bodied and youthfully coiled with a firm frame of lightly chalky tannins and good freshness, finishing long on a citrus peel note.
Anderson Valley, located in Mendocino County just above Sonoma County, is one of California’s coolest AVAs, allowing it a long growing season. Only 15 miles long, the region makes a slice eastward through the mountains, from the frigid Pacific Ocean. Dramatic diurnal temperature variations here preserve grape acidity and thus freshness in the finished wines. These are prime conditions for growing Pinot Noir, and the valley produces many fine versions. Characteristics of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir typically include crisp acidity, cranberry and strawberry notes as well as earthy notes of forest floor and mushroom.
Still Pinot Noir, however, is only part of the story. Pinot Noir, along with Chardonnay, are also grown for Anderson Valley’s exceptional sparkling wines. Produced via the traditional method, these offer a classic toasty note from lees aging, bright, complex fruit notes and a clean, refreshing character.