• VINTAGE: 2016
• APPELLATION: Sta. Rita Hills
• COMPOSITION: 100% Pinot Noir / 777 clone / 100% whole cluster / ABV 13%
• PRODUCTION: 70 cases
• VINEYARD: Radian Vineyard / Yield: < 1.5 tons/acre

Radian is located at the extreme western end of the Santa Rita Hills AVA and one of the coolest vineyards of the entire California West Coast with extreme steep slopes of clay loam and diatomaceous earth, giving a distinct minerality to the wine. The vineyard is regularly subjected to high winds which keep temperatures cool and moisture low. This hostile environment causes the vines to struggle and only a tiny crop of small clusters is able to ripen. The Radian Vineyard produces wines with intensity, strong minerality, and a depth of flavor even at low alcohol levels.

WINEMAKING:
100% whole cluster, hand-picked on September 14, 2016 @ 23 brix. The fruit was hand sorted and cold soaked for three days, after which native yeast fermentation was allowed to proceed in temperature-controlled stainless steel open-top fermenters. During the 3-week primary fermentation, the fruit was foot stomped with gentle punch downs, then aged 18 months in one new French oak barrel from Atelier and two neutral French oak barrels.

WINEMAKER: James Sparks