Happy holidays from the Russian River Valley! As our milestone 35th anniversary draws to a close and the holidays approach, it is a wonderful time to reflect on the year that was, and the promising one ahead. In the world of wine, every vintage brings new experiences and new opportunities, and that was certainly the case in 2022. Here at MacRostie, the big news was the unveiling of our new Nightwing Estate Vineyard in the acclaimed Petaluma Gap AVA.

Located near the famed Gap’s Crown Vineyard, Nightwing reaches heights of 1,400 feet and was planted as a mosaic of 35 blocks, with 44 acres of Pinot Noir and 30 acres of Chardonnay. While designing Nightwing, which features a wonderful diversity of elevations, exposures, and soils, Steve MacRostie and I were able to select all of our favorite clones and rootstocks. I am a huge fan of the Petaluma Gap AVA, and being able to design and plant an estate vineyard from the ground up in the region was one of the highlights of my career.

Many of you were able to join me at our party at the Nightwing Vineyard, where we had a live band, delicious food, and large-format wines. It was a wonderful way to christen the vineyard, and I can still remember standing with guests as we watched the fog roll in through the Petaluma Gap. During the party, we shared our debut 2020 Nightwing Vineyard Chardonnay, which was a big hit! For those who haven’t already added this inaugural wine to your collection, I’m excited to share the news that it just received 94 points from Wine Enthusiast, which hailed it as “a great achievement.”

As we look to 2023, we have several exciting new releases planned, including our debut Nightwing Vineyard Pinot Noir, our first-ever Blanc de Blancs, and Blanc de Noirs sparkling wines, and a new vineyard-designate Pinot Noir from the famed Fiddlestix Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills. I am also really excited about our new Clockwise Zinfandel from the legendary Monte Rosso Vineyard. If Zinfandel vineyards were classified as Grand Cru sites, the historic Monte Rosso Vineyard in the Moon Mountain AVA would be one of them. First planted in the 1880s, it is without question one of the world’s great Zin vineyards.

In closing, I want to thank our wonderful club members and customers for another fantastic year. Your patronage and support is a constant source of inspiration as we strive to craft wines that stir the senses and satisfy the soul.

May your holidays be filled with joyful gatherings and delightful wines!

Warmest wishes,

Heidi Bridenhagen
MacRostie Winemaker

Dear Friends,

When I joined MacRostie in 2011, we had just seven employees and no Estate House. Back then, Steve and Thale MacRostie would host our team at their home for an annual pre-harvest celebration. Meals always began with a glass of sparkling wine on their patio followed by an intimate seated tasting, and no visit was complete without a tour of Thale’s beautiful garden! The MacRosties made us feel like a member of their family or a dear friend visiting from far away. When we designed the Estate House, we wanted to emulate what Steve and Thale did so flawlessly, including greeting guests with a glass of wine and providing beautiful spaces for people to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

This month marks ten years since we unveiled our stunning Estate House. I remember the excitement when we broke ground, the pride we all felt as we welcomed our first guests, and countless wonderful memories from events over the years. The Estate House changed everything for MacRostie. It gave us our Thale’s Estate Vineyard and a new small-lot winery exclusively for Pinot Noir. Most importantly, it gave us a home to share with our growing community. It made MacRostie more than a name on a label; it became us a place where wine lovers could come and explore our wines and share their passion with like-minded wine enthusiasts.

Thank you for a wonderful decade, and for making the Estate House your home away from home in wine country.

Best Wishes,

HEIDI BRIDENHAGEN

Winemaker – MacRostie Winery and Vineyards