Crinella Estate Vineyard
The
Crinella Estate Vineyard
is located in Forestville, California in the
Green Valley appellation within the Russian
River Valley, an area noted for exceptional Pinot Noir. Here, we have
planted 20 acres of the variety in our vineyard's well-drained Goldridge
soils with southeast facing slopes which rise about 300 feet. Another 10 acres of estate Pinot Noir is slated for planting in 2007.
The estate Pinot Noir is cultivated in two very different areas of the property. "There are a number of
micro and mezzo climates in the estate vineyard," observes vineyard manager,
Jim Pratt. One vineyard site is at a
higher elevation with different exposures and soils that are
very well drained. The climate in the lower vineyard is cooler and the soils are heavier, deeper and richer. The diversity of growing conditions on the
estate produces grapes with a range of aromas, flavors and characteristics. Each block (and often sub-blocks) are harvested and fermented separately.
Additional complexity is achieved in the finished wine through blending the estate's mosaic of six clones
of Pinot Noir planted on two different rootstocks. Temperatures from various parts of the property were measured and mapped by satellite to study
the warmth and cold for eventual planting of the
vineyard blocks. Next our consultants worked together for
months to determine which clones of Pinot Noir would be planted and where.
Each clone was selected for its unique qualities and suitability to the soil. The clones, all of which are
high quality and low production, include: Pinot Noir 37 Mount Eden, a new release from U.C. Davis; Pinot Noir 115 and 777, both Dijon clones relatively new to
California; Pinot Noir Swan and Calera, both of which are field selections; and Pommard, one of the most widely planted Pinot Noir clones in California and
Oregon. The vines were planted on 6' by 3' spacing, 2,420 vines to the acre. We have about 40 acres.
"Extreme environments bring out the flavors of Pinot Noir, so the challenge with this variety is to push the
grape growing envelope in cool, breezy, foggy climates," says Pratt. Using a Geographic Information System, which tracks the entire vineyard by a satellite
60 miles above ground, the winegrowing team can identify potential problems in the vineyard long before they would be seen on the ground.
The Crinella Estate Vineyard is blessed by its Russian River Valley location, especially suited to the
cultivation of high quality fruit. "We're in a really good area of Forestville," says Pratt. Hills on and around the estate provide air drainage, clearing
the fog off the vineyards sooner than in some parts of the region. And unlike areas that get too much rain and cold during the critical bloom period,
conditions on the Crinella Estate are conducive for pollen development. "We get all the positive effects of the Russian River Valley, and are able to bring
out the best characteristics for which the region is known, without facing the challenges that can substantially impact yield."
This vineyard is growing and soon we hope to be able to have an outstanding Pinot Noir available.
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