HARVESTED: September 19th – October 15th, 2023
VINEYARD: Santa Cruz Mountains
SOILS: loamy clay
BOTTLED: February 2025, 575 cases
COMPOSITION: 100% Pinot Noir
ALCOHOL: 13.6%
WINEMAKER: Andrew Vingiello
VINEYARD MANAGER: Thayer Dunwoody
VINTAGE NOTES
In 2023 the Santa Cruz Mountains experienced one of the longest growing seasons in decades. Late season rains and cold temperatures in early spring kept vines dormant. Bud break saw much milder temperatures ideal for set and maturity. Continued mild, consistent weather and only a few periods of moderate heat contributed to crop yields that were above average and hang time was extended. Harvest kicked off later in September and continued at a relentless pace through October. The 2023 vintage is high quality, exceptional, and notable. Another vintage of great magnitude delivering wines with exceptional vineyard purity.
WINEMAKING NOTES
We harvest our Pinot Noir sequentially with co-fermentation in mind, filling open top tanks and T-bins with vineyards matching in fruit profiles. We employ some whole-cluster fermentation (20% in 2023), providing extra structure and tannin to the final cuvee. The rest of the vineyards were destemmed whole berry and hand sorted on the shaker table. All fruit is cold soaked prior to fermentation to deepen color, followed by either inoculation of commercial yeast strains or native yeasts. The ferments are gently punched down by hand two to three times a day with peak fermentation temps hitting roughly 90 degrees F. The wine is left on skins for a total of 15-20 days. Our 2023 vintage saw 15% new French oak and was aged in barrel for 16 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
TASTING NOTES
The 2023 Santa Cruz Mountains ‘Sequence’ Pinot Noir is a medium ruby red wine with a clear, youthful vibrancy and a violet rim. Its nose is bright and complex, offering aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry, and rose petals, alongside subtle forest floor, pine needle, and crushed mushroom notes, with a hint of cinnamon, clove, vanilla, and oak. On the palate, it is smooth and medium-bodied, with fresh red fruit flavors like cherry and cranberry, balanced by vibrant acidity and silky tannins. Subtle minerality and hints of dried herbs and sandalwood add depth, while the long, elegant finish lingers with red berries, cedar, and a savory, refreshing note. This wine beautifully combines bright fruit, floral, and earthy elements, making it a perfect choice for aging or pairing with dishes like duck or grilled salmon.
CELLARING
Enjoy now or over the next 3-5 years.