Lot #24 ERNEST VINEYARDS

This Never Before, Never Again cuvée celebrates “Freestone’s Hills and Valleys.” Ernest Vineyards’ never-ending pursuit to capture the essence of terroir in the coastal redwood forests surrounding the Salmon Creek Watershed drives this beautiful blend of two vineyards. Picked one month apart, the Pommard clone of Pinot Noir from Hawk Hill Vineyard brings power and concentration to the nuanced, aromatic finesse of the 667 and 115 clones from Cleary Ranch Vineyard in the valley below.

Ernest Vineyards celebrated 10 years in 2022. During these initial years, Ernest’s interest in producing cool-climate, marine-influenced Chardonnay and Pinot Noir has focused on the special and small areas of Freestone and Occidental. The forested areas and extremely cool climate keep vineyard plantings scant and yields very low. In the context of California wines and even Sonoma Coast wines, the vineyards in this area tell a different story, not of sunshine and abundance, but of fog and forest.

Winemaker Joseph Ryan pays meticulous attention to detail during the growing season to deliver fruit of such high quality that he feels his job from there on is to guide the wines but mostly stay out of the way. Expect “Freestone Garrigue” notes of pennyroyal, sage, mint and rose hip to drive the aromatics of this lithe wine. Concentration of high tone red fruits give the palate weight, finishing on lengthy natural acidity.

WINEMAKER(S): Joseph Ryan

ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: March 2024
ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: June 2024

National Distribution: CA, CO, MT, NE, NJ, NY, SC, TN, TX

International Distribution: Includes Japan, Korea, Norway; please inquire for additional countries.

A winemaker dinner or store visit is offered in your market as part of this lot. Must be scheduled on a mutually agreeable date.