- Wines
2017 Mindego Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir
Mindego Ridge Pinot Noir is intense and dark fruited. The acidity and ample tannin make this one of the more impactful wines we make.
Vineyard
Mindego Ridge Vineyard is located at the western end of Alpine Rd. near the town of La Honda. It is a perfectly exposed south facing hillside in a very cool spot. Planted in 2009, the nine acres of Pinot Noir here are lovingly farmed by Dave and Stacey Gollnick. The clay loam over shale soils produce wines of great intensity. This is one of the more exciting new plantings in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Production Notes
Record setting rains replenished our thirsty soils and gave our old vines a much needed reprieve from four drought stressed seasons. The 2017 vintage was another year of record setting heat, continuing our string of record setting temperatures. Luckily, Spring was mild and allowed us to set the best crop we have seen since 2012. A torrid heat spike over the labor day started the growing season with a bang and had us off and running at sprinter’s pace. The weather following was mild and allowed for the latest harvest we have seen in some time. It will go down as a vintage with good yields and potentially great quality.
Technical Data
Vintage
2017
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Santa Cruz Mountains
Acid
5.6
pH
3.44
Alcohol %
13.5
Other Notes
Pale to medium ruby in color, the 2017 Pinot Noir Mindego Ridge Vineyard very slowly blossoms to aromas of red and black cherries, bay leaf, loam, dried flowers and hints of bouquet garni. The palate is medium-bodied and intense, gaining in amplitude as it swirls in the mouth. It has a firm, fine-grained frame and addicting juicy freshness, finishing long and spicy.
Food Pairing Notes
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate. 94 points.