Pinot Noir, Sun Break Wines 'Ariane'

Made from whole cluster fermentations using all six clones to showcase the vineyard’s terroir, while making for a lighter, more savory style Pinot, showcasing bright red fruit along with appealing spice notes and more tannic structure than a 100% destemmed Pinot. A phenomenal nose of bright Bing cherries, raspberries, red rose petals, sweet herbs, and orange zest spills from the glass while the palate is a touch more savory in nature with more earth and forest herb tones shining through. Crunchy tannins and medium plus acidity complete the wine. Aged in older French oak barrels for 11 months. Two bâttonages and no racking until assemblage, blending to stainless steel tanks prior to bottling.

Winter 2020-2021 was mild and relatively dry and was followed by one of the driest growing seasons on record, continuing an ongoing drought for Oregon. The Spring was relatively cool, followed by wide swings between early season heat then cool, wet conditions at the end flowering and start of fruit set in June. Heat stress came early in 2021, in late May/June. Growing degree-day totals for 2021 were the highest over the last four vintages. The combination of cold events in spring, raining during flowering/fruit set, heat events, and a very dry growing season lowered yields. This vintage also saw low disease pressure, relatively low pest pressure, little to no bird pressure, and a harvest that presented very good to exceptional fruit quality. This resulted in grapes with great flavor and color intensity, but low sugar/ABV with good phenolic ripening and tad bit lower acidity than previous cooler vintages. 233 cases produced.