2022 Petaluma Gap

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. 2022 was a year for vintage-to-vintage variation and differentiation between vineyards. Fruit for our Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir was sourced from Calesa Vineyard and our own Nightwing Estate Vineyard. Harvest occurred on September 9th and August 29th of 2022, respectively.

The Petaluma Gap AVA was established in 2018 as a distinct area defined by the “Gap” in the coastal mountain range that borders the Pacific Ocean as well as the wind that rushes in off the ocean through the gap and cools down Sonoma County. Located about 30 miles inland from the Pacific, the AVA is shaped by the wind that funnels cooling breezes and fog into the region. This results in thick skins, low yields, dark colors, and exotic spice notes, as well as a rich and lifted palate presence.

• composition:

  100% Pinot Noir

• alcohol: 14.2%
• bottling date: 08/02/2023
• aging:

  Aged 10 months in French oak, 30% new and 30% one-year-old

• fermentation:

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