2018 McIntyre Estate Block 3 Pinot Noir

Vineyard

This Pinot Noir owes much of its success to superior terroir and diligent, regenerative farming. It combines the Swan clone and “The Old Vine” block that was planted 52 years ago, making it the oldest plantings of Pinot Noir still in production in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. It is own rooted – a rarity in California. The crop was thinned to a maximum of three tons per acre or 1.5 lbs. of fruit per foot of cordon. Row orientation is primarily north/south in both vineyards, which provides even sun exposure from morning to afternoon.

Winemaking

At McIntyre our winemaking techniques are minimalistic. Our philosophy of “thoughtful but limited intervention” guarantees that the character and complexity of our fruit is highlighted in all our wines. The grapes for this Pinot were harvested and hand-sorted in the early morning hours. Primary and malolactic fermentations were managed naturally using the wild, indigenous yeast strains that thrive in our vineyards.