2022 Carneros Pinot Noir

The Pinot Noir for this wine is grown on our estate vineyards which lie tucked in the southwestern most corner of Sonoma. Unlike the majority of Carneros, which is largely uplifted bay bottoms with soils composed of clay, the soils at Grace Benoist Ranch are volcanic in origin. Within the ranch, there are four smaller vineyards (Laniger, Deer Camp, Temblor, and Heirloom) with five main unique soil types, 20 distinct Pinot Noir vine selections, and a variety of clones that all contribute to the distinctive flavor profile of this unique terroir. The well-drained, rocky upland soils of the ranch and the extreme western location close to the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay, make this site an ideal place to grow Burgundian varieties. The vineyard parcels at Grace Benoist Ranch follow the changing contours of the ranch’s topography. Individual vineyards average only eight acres in size and spacing is dense to ensure low per-vine yields of fully concentrated fruit. Grace Benoist Ranch is farmed to Etude’s exacting standards using environmentally sound viticultural practices. The ranch is certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing as well as Napa Green and Fish Friendly Farming.

The fruit, including a small number of whole clusters, underwent cold maceration, with a period of time on the skins, in small-lot, open-top fermenters. The fermentation regime is always adapted to the unique conditions of each vintage to best express each vineyard parcel, highlighting the delicate aromas, fruit depth, tannin structure, and flavors. Vineyard lots are vinified and aged individually and final blending is subject to a rigorous selection process, where only the best casks are chosen to represent the Grace Benoist Ranch Estate Pinot Noir. The wine is aged in French oak with a small percentage of new barrels.