KATHY’S CORNER

2006 proved to be one of the latest harvests in the Sta. Rita Hills in a decade. January and February were unusually cold and March was quite wet, so bud break did not occur until the end of March (a good 2-3 weeks later than normal). But this unusual weather pattern ended up working for the best, as it kept the vines in a stage less vulnerable to the July heat that was severely damaging to the North Coast. Our grapes were still green and thick- skinned and at this stage suffered little damage. The weather then remained cool, allowing for longer hang time and more expressive varietal character.

I am especially pleased with the elegance in this wine, showing classic “728” (the mile marker on Santa Rosa Rd) and Sta. Rita terroir… luring, complex aromas of cherry cola, hints of white pepper and wonderful flavor memory.

printable notes

THE ESTATE VINEYARD and THE VINTAGE

• Located in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills on Santa Rosa road, Fiddlestix Vineyard is the confluence of an exceptional growing environment that meets the finicky demands of Pinot Noir. On the north side of a tight east-west running valley, fog hovers over our vines until mid-morning. Then coastal afternoon breezes blow through the Santa Rita Hills, ensuring cool grapes over a lengthy day of sunshine. Temperatures infrequently rise above 75. The soil is well-drained clay loam loaded with chirt and Monterey shale, specifically of the Gazos and Botella soil series. Truly a pinot noir paradise!

• 35 unique blocks of pinot noir, across100 acres first planted in 1998, are meticulously farmed with sustainability as the guiding force. Vine balance is achieved as we devote our farming to guardians of the earth.

• 2006 gave us a modest crop, averaging about 5.5 pounds per vine.

• Night harvested September 22 – Oct 4, 2006.

THE WINE

• For this cuvée, Fiddlehead cherry-picks (as marked by the vineyard flags) the top15% of the vineyard and sells the remaining grapes to respected winemakers. We include a selection of six clones: Pommard 4 and 5, and Dijon clones 667, 777, 113, and 115, each adding significant layers to the palate.

• Aged 16 months in our favorite selection of tight-grain French oak (Rousseau, Bel Air, Cadus, Saury, Seguin Moreau, Marcel Cadet) and held a minimum of an additional year in bottle to allow the pinot charm to shine in all its glory!

• 1900 cases produced.