90 Points: Josh Greene Wine & Spirits - April 2021

"Delicious, compelling; a compelling wine of its region; a delicious, finessed expression of place. “A delicate richness pervades this floral pinot, its strawberry-blossom scents and transparent strawberry flavors rounded by oak. An earthy, celery-root bitterness lasts with the fruit, inciting an appetite for halibut braised with shiitake mushrooms.”

90 Points: Jim Gordon Wine Enthusiast - June/July 2021

Excellent; highly recommended “This full-bodied wine offers fresh strawberry aromas, nicely concentrated and ripe black-cherry flavors and a good, slightly tannic texture that keeps coming back for more. Good balance and a nice vibrance help it stand out.”

The 2018 growing season began with warm winter weather before things turned cool and rainy in February, which prevented an early bud break. While the rains continued, things warmed up again in March, providing ideal nutrients and growing conditions for the vines. From June onwards the weather was lovely and temperate, with sunny days and cool nights ensuring excellent flavor development and acid retention in the grapes. As harvest drew near, the weather turned warm providing a final push to ripeness. Day Ranch Vineyard is planted to Clone 667, and we harvested our fruit on September 24th, 2018.

To make this wine, our love of exploration took us to another acclaimed coastal Northern California wine region, Mendocino County’s renowned Anderson Valley. Located just 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, in the cool “Deep End” of the Anderson Valley, Day Ranch is planted on an alluvial terrace that abuts a mountainside. This wild, rustic terroir yields a complex and distinctive expression of Pinot Noir.

• composition:

  100% Pinot Noir

• alcohol: 14.30%
• cases made:

  9 Barrels
  196 Cases

• bottling date: 07/26/2019
• aging:

  Aged 10 months in French oak, 22% new, 22% one-year-old

• fermentation:

  Gently destemmed into open-top fermenters; three-day cold soak; cap management included pump-overs & punch-downs

91 Points: Josh Greene Wine & Spirits - April 2019

“This is MacRostie’s first pinot noir from outside of Sonoma County, sourced from a vineyard in Philo where the vines grow on an alluvial terrace 15 miles from the coast. That coastal influence is in the cranberry and brambly blackberry freshness of the fruit, with high-toned florals and deeper umami notes of cloud-ear mushrooms. Oak adds to the wine’s tannic weight, but those tannins are yielding and will merge into the fruit complexity with bottle age.”

Slightly warmer than average, the 2016 growing season proved to be a very good one, with conditions nearly perfect for growing Pinot Noir. A well-timed cool spell in August slowed ripening down, enabling the fruit to develop evenly to full maturity without sugars being too high. Day Ranch Vineyard is planted to clone 667, and we harvested our fruit on September 8th, 2016.

Exploring yet another area in Coastal Northern California, we ventured a bit north to just outside of Sonoma County in Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley. This rustic landscape is near the town of Philo and is just 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean. This vineyard is planted on an alluvial terrace that abuts a mountainside.

• composition:

  100% Pinot Noir

• alcohol: 13.9%
• cases made:

  187 Cases

• bottling date: 10/31/2017
• aging:

  Aged 11 months in French oak, 29% new, 29% one-year-old

• fermentation:

  Gently destemmed into open-top fermenters; three-day cold soak; cap management included pump-overs & punch-downs

The 2015 vintage got off to an early start and delivered fairly warm weather throughout the growing season. While overall yields were extremely low, the quality was exceptional, with the grapes showing amazing concentration. With no threat of rain in sight, we hand harvested the grapes exactly when we wanted to in the cool evening hours of September 2nd, 2015.

The grapes for this Pinot Noir came exclusively from Glass House Vineyard, which is named for the striking modern home tucked in the middle of the vineyard. GlassHouse is located on the western edge of Carneros, where it is strongly influenced by the onshore winds that channel through the Petaluma Gap. It also features volcanic soils that contribute to the dense color and demeanor of this wine.

• composition:

  100% Pinot Noir

• alcohol: 13.8%
• cases made:

  16 Barrels
  338 Cases

• bottling date: 08/09/2016
• aging:

  Aged 10 months in French oak, 30% new

• fermentation:

  Gently desteemed into open-top fermenters; three day cold soak; cap management included pump-overs & punch-downs

The 2022 vintage was impacted by a third consecutive year of drought that resulted in a reduction in yields from 10 to 30%. The growing season was temperate, which in grape growing means we were on track, or ahead of normal growth. Then we saw some heat spikes that prompted our first picks. 2022 was a year for vintage-to-vintage variation and differentiation between vineyards. The block we source fruit from is block 2.11 and features Clone 667, which was harvested on September 20th, 2022.

To make this wine, our love of exploration took us to another acclaimed coastal Northern California wine region, Mendocino County’s renowned Anderson Valley. Located just 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, in the cool “Deep End” of the Anderson Valley, Day Ranch is planted on an alluvial terrace that abuts a mountainside. This wild, rustic terroir yields a complex and distinctive expression of Pinot Noir.

• composition:

  100% Pinot Noir

• alcohol: 12%
• cases made:

  396 Cases

• bottling date: 08/09/2023
• aging:

  Aged 10 months in French oak, 25% new and 38% once filled

• fermentation:

  Gently destemmed into open-top fermenters; three-day cold soak; cap management included pump-overs & punch-downs

94 Points: Meridith May The Tasting Panel - March 2024

“Bright, poignant red with bright cherry, sweet basil, and rose petals. Nutmeg and cinnamon lend spice to the perfume and the palate, with a hint of red pepper that piquantly seasons the juicy finish.”

92 Points: Tonya Pitts Wine Enthusiast Advance Buying Guide - April 2024

“Charming, fresh and well balanced, this wine exudes crushed raspberries and cherries in the aroma, then candied cherries, red apples and cinnamon on the palate. Light in body and low in tannins, it has a texture that is smooth and easy.”

The 2021 vintage delivered a moderate and consistent growing season for most of Sonoma County, leading to a smooth, easily manageable harvest. While the continuation of drought conditions led to slightly reduced yields, the overall quality and concentration of the grapes was exceptional. Day Ranch Vineyard is planted to many different clones. The block we source fruit from is block 2.11, and features Clone 667, which was harvested on September 15th, 2021.

To make this wine, our love of exploration took us to another acclaimed coastal Northern California wine region, Mendocino County’s renowned Anderson Valley. Located just 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, in the cool “Deep End” of the Anderson Valley, Day Ranch is planted on an alluvial terrace that abuts a mountainside. This wild, rustic terroir yields a complex and distinctive expression of Pinot Noir.

• composition:

  100% Pinot Noir

• alcohol: 14.6%
• cases made:

  145 Cases

• bottling date: 07/28/2022
• aging:

  Aged 10 months in French oak, 33% new

• fermentation:

  Gently destemmed into open-top fermenters; three-day cold soak; cap management included pump-overs & punch-downs

94 Points: Rich Cook Wine Review Online - June 2023

“It might not be a stretch to surmise that the relatively new Petaluma Gap AVA became one largely due to the fruit that has come from the Gap’s Crown Vineyard. It does particularly well in the hands of MacRostie winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen in the 2021 vintage, with this combination of deep cherry and raspberry fruit, dry earth minerality and fall spice, balanced with ‘house style’ acidity and finishing long and toasty. Beautiful!”

93 Points: Jim Gordon Wine Enthusiast - June/July 2023

“Rhubarb and sour cherry flavors mingle with somewhat riper black cherries in this mediumbodied, mouth-watering, acid-driven wine. It’s a real palate cleanser that’s refreshing, has some textural bite and should age well through 2030.”

The 2021 vintage delivered a moderate and consistent growing season for most of Sonoma County, leading to a smooth, easily manageable harvest. While the continuation of drought conditions led to slightly reduced yields, the overall quality and concentration of the grapes were exceptional. Our grapes from Gap’s Crown were harvested from blocks 4A and 9A4, planted to Clones 115 and 828 respectively. Fruit was harvested by hand overnight on September 14th and 16th, 2021.

Gap’s Crown Vineyard is situated on the base of Sonoma Mountain in the Petaluma Gap AVA, named for the Petaluma wind gap that allows wind and fog from the Pacific to flow further inland than almost any other place in Sonoma County. Situated just below our own Nightwing Estate Vineyard, Gap’s Crown is planted on a southwest-facing slope with elevations ranging from 320 to 820 feet, and boasts some of the most sought-after fruit in Sonoma County.

• composition:

  100% Pinot Noir

• alcohol: 13.6%
• cases made:

  263 Cases

• bottling date: 08/10/2022
• aging:

  Aged 10 months in French oak, 36% new, 36% once-used

• fermentation:

  Gently destemmed into open-top fermenters; three-day cold soak; cap management included pump-overs & punch-downs

The 2022 vintage was impacted by a third consecutive year of drought that resulted in a reduction in yields from 10-30%. The growing season was temperate, which in grape growing means we were on track, or ahead of normal growth. Then we saw some heat spikes that prompted our first picks. The grapes for this wine came from two prized blocks of Fiddlestix Vineyard, one on the floor of the vineyard and one on its rocky hillside. Both were harvested on September 14th, 2022.

The grapes for this Pinot Noir came exclusively from Fiddlestix Vineyard. Located at the western end of the Santa Ynez Valley in the acclaimed Sta. Rita Hills AVA, Fiddlestix Vineyard was planted in 1998 by famed Pinot Noir winemaker Kathy Joseph. It is designed with a unique east-west orientation that draws in ocean breezes and fog from the Pacific, with the fog often hanging over vines until mid-morning, and temperatures rarely exceeding 80 F. This, combined with well-drained soils, creates an intense wine with well-structured tannins.

• composition:

  100% Pinot Noir

• alcohol: 13.7%
• cases made:

  229 Cases

• bottling date: 07/31/2023
• aging:

  Aged 10 months in French oak, 22% new, 55% one-year-old

• fermentation:

  Gently desteemed into open-top fermenters; three day cold soak; cap management included pump-overs & punch-downs

94 Points: Meridith May The Tasting Panel - May/June 2023

“This Pinot Noir expresses high elevation and proximity to the Pacific gives this Pinot Noir a purpose: bright acidity and sleek red fruit leading the charge. Cinnamon and roses follow, with added notes of laurel, black tea, and a pinch of pepper add further dimension.”

92 Points: James Molesworth Wine Spectator

"Lively, with a mix of boysenberry and raspberry compote flavors that have mouthwatering appeal, as bramble, sassafras and savory notes dart in and out. Offers nice energy through the finish, where a sanguine hint lingers. Drink now through 2029. 307 cases made."

The 2021 vintage delivered a moderate and consistent growing season for most of Sonoma County, leading to a smooth, easily manageable harvest. While the continuation of drought conditions led to slightly reduced yields, the overall quality and concentration of the grapes was exceptional. Our part of Hellenthal Vineyard, the prized House Block, is planted to a field blend of Calera selection and Pommard Clone grapes. The fruit from this vineyard was harvested by hand on September 18, 2021.

Hellenthal Vineyard is owned by Gard Hellenthal, one of the pioneers in the Fort Ross-Seaview Appellation. The vineyard is now managed by his daughter, Elisa Hellenthal. Located just miles from the Pacific Ocean, the vineyard reaches towering elevations of more than 1,000 feet above sea level. At this high elevation, the vines sit above the fog layer giving them the warmth to fully ripen and develop ideal flavors. At the same time, the cool maritime breezes balance the heat from the sun to keep the climate perfect for the finicky Pinot Noir grapes.

• composition:

  100% Pinot Noir

• alcohol: 14%
• cases made:

  307 Cases

• bottling date: 07/28/2022
• aging:

  Aged 10 months in French oak, 50% new, 17% one-year-old

• fermentation:

  Gently desteemed into open-top fermenters; three day cold soak; cap management included pump-overs & punch-downs