Pinot Noir ‘Twelve Clones’ Santa Lucia Highlands

Winemaker

Sam Smith

Appellation

Santa Lucia Highlands

Varieties

Pinot Noir

Viticulture

Grapes are a combination of estate and sourced fruit, grown on slopes of 150m-550m in elevation with a Southeast facing exposition. The vines are VSP trained and are 20 years old on average. Harvest takes place by hand with an average yield of 3 tons/acre.

Terroir

The soil is a mix of Arroyo Seco gravelly loam and Chualar loam

Ratings & Reviews

Vineyard

The 65 acre property of Morgan Winery is on a southeastern facing "bench" of the Santa Lucia mountain range, sloping from 150" to 550' elevation and the vines are 18 years old on average. Prior to purchase in 1996, the ranch was used for cattle grazing and row crop production (sugar beets, dry beans). At the time of purchase, the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA had very recently been established and was relatively unknown. The soils on the ranch were weak, depleted of nutrients; Dan's interest in responsible farming led to the Double L's organic certification in 2001. The vineyard now holds both sustainability and organic certifications

Vinification

At the winery, the grapes are destemmed and gently pressed to start the fermentation. A mix of 50% selected yeast and 50% ambient yeast is used during fermentation, which lasts 8 days. Throughout this time the wine is maintained in small, open-top tanks with regular punch downs that are performed by hand. Total Sulfite count is 21mg/L. There is minimal filtration and no fining prior to aging.

Aging

The wine is aged for 9 months in 60 gallon French oak barrels, and an additional 4-10 months in bottle prior to release.

Available Sizes (L)

0.750