Head west in Sonoma County, then go a little farther, and you’ll find yourself in the extreme landscape of Wild Ridge. Winemaker Craig McAllister revels in the wild nature of the vines in his care, and he is able to create memorable wines from the most intense conditions. This is an uncommon wine sourced from Block 14 of the Wild Ridge Vineyard in Annapolis, at an altitude of 700-900 feet. Pinot Noir vines were planted here in 1999 on prized Goldridge soils bordered by thick strands of Coastal Redwoods and conifers. Block 14 comprises sub-blocks A-D and a mix of Dijon clones 667 and 777. The wine shows vibrant, fruit-driven aromas intertwined with typical coastal markers of orange zest and cedar. The wine will be unfined, but will be filtered, and it presents a singular opportunity to showcase a single block and the Dijon clones that have historically been the backbone of the Wild Ridge blend.
