THE VINEYARDS

Pinot Noir is known to be one of the few noble grape varietals that does not benefit from blending additional varietals. It is one of the hardest grapes to grow and wine to make because of its delicate nature. Mietz Cellars focused on a 26 year old vineyard on the prestigious Vine Hill School Road. The younger White Dove Vineyard planted on Goldridge bench land, off of Bodega Highway in Sebastopol, also contributed to the blend. Both vineyards are in the Russian River appellation. As a result of low yields in the vineyard our production is limited and routinely sells out before bottling.

WINE MAKING NOTES

The 2001 Pinot Noir is a result of astute vineyard practices and minimal intervention wine making. We take the heads out of brand new Francois Freres barrels and hand punch down from the start of fermentation to lengthen the mid-palate and stabilize color. This is a true barrel fermented Pinot Noir as opposed to one pressed at 5 degrees Brix and partially fermented in the barrel. We use the gentlest techniques in the cellar from fermentation to bottling. This wine is truly handcrafted down to the label and it is not fined or filtered.