Pinot Noir, Sun Break Wines

This is labeled as a non-vineyard designate, but it is sourced from the Cortell-Rose Vineyard. Co-owned and managed by Jessica Cortell who farms top-tier vineyards such as Seven Springs, Medici, and Antica Terra, among others. She chose this exceptional vineyard as her own for its superb potential and location on volcanic Jory soils and cool temps due in large part to the winds from the Van Duzer corridor. They are the only winery, however, to make Pinot Noir using all six clones/blocks from the vineyard.

Made from whole cluster and destemmed fermentations, this wine showcases red bramble berry aromatics and flavors, forest floor and leather notes, with a medium body and pleasingly fruit-focused, long finish.

Fermented from 46% whole cluster and 54% destemmed grapes in separate 1.5 ton open fermenters for each clone and fermentation type. Fermentations and macerations were conducted in 11 to 17 days depending on the clone/block and fermentation type [shorter for whole cluster].

Aged in older French oak barrels for 10 months. Two ‘bâttonages’ [in-barrel lees stirring] and no racking until ‘assemblage’ [blending to tanks prior to bottling.