Kashaya Pinot Noir has been the flagship wine in our Pinot Noir portfolio since its first vintage in 2009. We prize this vineyard for its rare, cool position in Fort Ross-Seaview on the second ridge in from the ocean. There are only 18 vineyards in the entire Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, whch many prize as the crown jewel of California Pinot Noir regions. Clones Dijon 115 and Old Wente are farmed with extreme care in Goldridge soils, and the proximity to the ocean (4 miles) allows all of the delicate aromatics and finesse to be at the forefront of the wine. We have learned much from working with this site, which has informed our Pinot Noir winemaking in general, and we have been leaning toward earlier picking in recent vintages. Kashaya, and all of our Pinot Noirs since 2001 have been fermented with native yeast, utilizing up to 35% whole clusters, depending on what Mother Nature brings to us, and then aged undisturbed on their lees until bottling. We feel this is the best way to harness the delicate aromatics and finesse-driven texture of Pinot Noir.
