Presqu'ile, Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, California 2019

The 2019 Presqu'ile Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir is the seventh release from this iconic Santa Maria Valley vineyard. The grapes are sourced from a combination of the old and new plantings from this site. Old vine Pommard clone planted in 1973 contrasts with Mt. Eden clone planted in 2006. The soils in the grapes' blocks range from sandy loam to clay loam, yielding a powerful example of Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir with excellent structure.

Presqu'ile, Creole for "almost an island," was a gathering place on the Gulf coast for generations of the Murphy family. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina ended an era. The Santa Maria Valley winery is named in honor of that beloved place.

In 2007, after an extensive search that spanned the West Coast of the United States, the Murphy family acquired an ideal unplanted 200-acre property in the hills of the Santa Maria Valley. Over the next two years, the Murphys, along with Santa Barbara County Vineyard Manager Jim Stollberg and Winemaker Dieter Cronje, meticulously planned the design of the Presqu’ile Vineyard with an emphasis on diversity. To achieve their vision, they mapped the site's deep sandy soils, distinct airflows, patterns of sunlight, hillside angles and elevations. Collectively, the result is a winemaker's dream, offering a treasure trove of individual blocks and sections, allowing Dieter to craft complex and layered small-lot wines.