Winemaker Notes
While the Home Vineyard enjoys the same mild, consistent climate as the Family Farm vineyard, it is situated on a different soil type. The decomposed sandstone of the Whiskey Hill formation and clay loam topsoil produce an elegant wine of earthy complexity, powdery aromatics and beautiful red and black fruit. It is really interesting to compare the differing character of the Home and Family Farm Pinot Noirs given the close proximity but very different soils.
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 large Northern California appellation centered on the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Francisco Bay AVA falls within the larger Central Coast AVA. The smaller appellations of Livermore Valley, Pacheco Pass, San Ysidro District and Santa Clara Valley AVAs fall within the San Francisco Bay boundaries, and all produce high-quality Central Coast wines.