Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is a favorite variety of mine. The multiple microclimates in California and the many pinot clones available, or subtypes, contribute to perhaps the widest range of flavor experiences among California red wines.  Pinot may be bold and “fruit forward,” when grown in warmer, sun-drenched environs; or, found to have a light, delicate flavor profile, when produced in coastal climates, or at higher altitudes. 

To achieve a balance of flavors on the palate, four clones of Pinot Noir were selected, including:

• Dijon-115 ~ This clone gets the highest rating as a French Pinot Noir clone. It yields elegant, complex, and full-bodied Pinot Noir.
• Dijon-777 ~ Dijon 777 clone also gets the highest rating for its high color and tannic structure and is very adaptable to all situations.
• Swan-23 ~ A very small berry clone, known for its depth of color and concentration, rounds out a Pinot’s finish.
• Pomard-5 ~ The Pommard clone embodies all that is naturally beautiful in Pinot Noir. It is very adaptable to all types of soil, reflecting the beauty of its vineyard.

Design and installation of the vineyard were completed in June 2007, when 800 Pinot Noir vines were planted.  It took a few years of coming to understand and thwarting the competition I had from all manner of flying and terrestrial fans of ripe grapes, residing in the local fields and forests of Wildcat Canyon. I finally prevailed and first enjoyed Perfusion Pinot Noir from 2012! 

Pinot Noir is a capricious grape. It is a challenge to grow and typically a low yield crop, compared to many grape varieties.  While other wine grape varieties typically exceed several tons per acre, due to the nature of the pinot grape, we get a much smaller harvest. This is due to our wine grape pruning and watering practices. We note a range of harvest yields to a half to two tons per acre.  This corresponds to between one and three barrels of wine, which we age in top quality oak, sourced from the Allier forest of French Burgundy.  As a result, we have a very limited annual production of 25 to 75 cases of Perfusion Pinot Noir.