Freeman Winery

Gloria Estate Pinot Noir

It's difficult to match the pure, expressive fruit and focus of this medium- to full-bodied, concentrated and complex wine. Substantial, enticing aromas of red and black cherry with a touch of butter lead to cherry, rhubarb, forest floor and mint notes on the palate. The mouthfeel is full but lively, and the finish lingers nicely.

The 2014 Gloria Estate Pinot Noir is the third vintage of our first-ever estate bottled wine, made from grapes grown on the hillside vineyard directly adjacent to our winery. Gloria is the name of the hurricane that first brought Ken and Akiko Freeman together in 1985. Ken was working on a sailboat, headed south in the Atlantic, when the hurricane forced them to spend the night in port. Once ashore, he joined his friends at a party, where it was clear that Akiko was the best-dressed and most beautiful woman present. Nature took its course. By happy coincidence, the local resident who sold Ken and Akiko several acres adjacent to their property was also named Gloria. Part of the vineyard is planted in what was once Gloria’s old apple orchard.

In 2008 we planted Gloria’s eight acres to the heritage clones Swan, Calera, Martini and Pommard, plus Dijon Clone 115. Akiko Freeman now makes all the decisions at Gloria, working closely with our assistant winemaker, Gavin Sharrocks, and vineyard manager, Arturo Robledo. It is not an easy site to farm, given its very steep hillsides and different exposures, from hilltop to bottom.

2014 proved challenging, as we entered the third year of a historic drought. The vines got off to a very early start in the warm, dry weather of January and February. They slowed down a little with welcome March rains and cool April weather; but then, as May through August stayed sunny and warm, we harvested fully matured Pinot Noir earlier than ever before.

The 2014 Gloria is very similar in weight and ripeness to the 2012, but you can tell the vineyard is maturing by the more complex flavors in the latest vintage. The color is very dark for a Pinot Noir, and, the nose is a combination of plum, lavender and toast. The large-framed palate is beautifully balanced, with ripe berries, smooth tannin, and a lingering acidity.

Enjoy this from late 2016 through 2025.