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Fort Ross Vineyard Pinot Noir Top of Land Sonoma Coast 2021
Fort Ross Vineyard Pinot Noir Top of Land Sonoma Coast 2021

Reviews

93 - James Suckling -

93 - Wine Review Online -

92 - Jeb Dunnuck -

92 - Wine Enthusiast -

Technical Details

  • Blend 100% Pinot Noir
  • Winemaker Jeff Pisoni
  • Country US
  • Region California
  • Sub Region North Coast
  • Appellation Sonoma County
  • Vineyard Fruit sourced from several of the lowest yielding blocks located at the highest elevations of the Fort Ross Vineyard
  • Farming Method Certified California Sustainable Winegrower
  • Oak 50% new and 50% neutral French oak
  • Aging / Cooperage 14 months
  • Alcohol 13.5%
  • Production 220 cases

Fort Ross Vineyard Pinot Noir Top of Land Sonoma Coast 2021

Pinot Noir | California

JS93, WRO93, JD92, WE92

Certified California Sustainable Winegrower

$80.00

$39.95

750ML

50% OFF RETAIL!

If you lean toward Pinot Noirs that encompass the “dark fruit, damp earth, black tea” side of the spectrum, have we got a treat coming your way! This powerful 93-point Pinot from the far reaches of the Sonoma Coast is here to whisk you away to a foggy, ocean-view bluff before properly stealing your heart. Originally $80; now UNDER $40.

Not many folks grow grapes out in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, as the terrain is mountainous and often dense with forestland. When Linda and Lester Schwartz bought a section on the high coastal ridges above the ocean in 1988, they had a vision to do what had rarely been done in those parts: grow exceptional grapes and make fabulous wines. Against the advice of professionals who told them the location was too cool and foggy to grow grapes, they spent a few years experimenting on their 53-acre estate, playing with various clones, rootstocks, and trellising systems before discovering they had the ideal land and location to farm generous and energetic Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and even Chenin Blanc grapes.

Jeff Pisoni (from Pisoni Family Vineyards) makes the wines in close collaboration with Linda and Lester, using a minimalist approach to allow the terroir and coastal location to speak boldly through the wines. The trio walks the vineyard together throughout the growing season to taste fruit from each block and determine when to hand-harvest each section. These grapes come from the estate’s highest-elevation, lowest-yielding blocks – hence the name “Top of Land.” 

With a deep ruby color, the wine pours with aromas of black cherry, rhubarb, clove, and red roses waltzing together seamlessly. More dark berry notes, Chinese 5 spice, Earl Grey tea, and a cushy wet forest floor approach on the palate, alongside a bright and textured acidity. While it’s certainly got the earthy, coastal elements we love, there’s also plenty of bright, ripe fruit to balance out this beauty. This is yet another unbelievable and limited Sonoma Coast wine from a producer who consistently hits home runs. I assure you – you’ll want a few of these in your cellar, at least!

PAIRING IDEAS: Mushrooms. Anything with mushrooms. (This mushroom lasagna would slam.)

About The Producer

In 1988, Lester and Linda Schwartz embarked on a bold venture by acquiring a section of virgin forest and grasslands in the high coastal ridges of the Sonoma coast, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Despite academic warnings about the risks of planting a vineyard in the cool, foggy conditions so close to the ocean, they remained undeterred. Over several years, they experimented with various clones, rootstocks, and trellising systems, ultimately determining that their property had the potential to cultivate exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. By 1994, after meticulously sourcing heritage clones to highlight the terroir and varietal typicity, Lester and Linda began preparing and planting the first vineyard blocks. They personally dug plant holes and planted vines, carefully laying out their 53-acre vineyard with roads, underground drainage, and irrigation systems. They also developed a reservoir and designed a custom trellis system. In homage to their South African roots, they sourced Pinotage bud wood from the original founding blocks in South Africa, becoming the first private growers to import grapevine cuttings through the Foundation Plant Services in collaboration with the U.C. Davis School of Viticulture and Enology. Today, Lester and Linda work closely with Jeff Pisoni, who joined Fort Ross as winemaker in 2009. Together, they regularly walk the vineyard, making viticultural decisions and determining the optimal harvest times for each block. Lester and Linda continue to oversee the day-to-day vineyard operations. Their relentless efforts in transforming this untamed, extreme location into a spectacular vineyard have proven the academics wrong.