Monterey County, Gabilan Mountains

The Lester vineyard is located in the Corralitos foothills at the south end of the Santa Cruz Mountains on sandy loam soil. 2015 was a particularly low yielding vintage due to the impact of the drought. Lower yields perhaps, but fantastic concentration in every single berry!  The fruit underwent a cold soak for several days with 70% whole clusters with daily punchdowns by hand. Fermented in a combination of new and old oak barrels where it stayed for 15 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Big Basin Vineyards is located on the steep hillsides of the Santa Cruz mountains, established in 2002, with the mission to restore an ancient vineyard on the same site planted 100 years before. Working organically since day one, with the help of cover crops and organic compost, they have rescued the previously poor and eroded soil, planting vines 1,300 feet above sea level on mostly mudstone/sandstone soils. As well as producing wine from these ocean influenced, windswept sites, they also work with a large site in the Gabilan mountains, 2200 feet above sea level, planted on decomposed granite soils. Although not certified organic, this is also farmed organically and sustainably to meet the Big Basin philosophy. In the cellar, work is conducted gently and with minimal handling, with the only addition, at most being a drop or two of sulphur.