A Sense of Place

Sebastopol was once known as the "Gravenstein Capital" of the world, and at one time the hills surrounding our winery were planted with this apple variety. Around 30 years ago, farmers in the area began to understand that the same unique West Sonoma conditions that were so favorable for apples could produce Pinot Noir grapes of depth and character. Early plantings yielded elegant, award-winning Pinots that impressed wine lovers, leading to a growth in the cultivation of Pinot Noir along the Sonoma Coast.

During the past decade, many apple orchards have been replanted with small five to 10-acre, hand-tended Pinot vineyards. Fog blankets the gently sloping hills in the mornings, and the area is far cooler than Napa and the rest of Sonoma County - ideal for growing Pinot Noir with the natural acidity and minerality to pair seamlessly with food. The soil, a dry, sandy loam known as "Goldridge," helps produce grapes that are more flavorful in character and higher in complexity. These conditions have proven ideal for crafting sophisticated and balanced Pinot Noir.