COULOIR WINES - VINEYARDS
2009 Couloir Wines Marin County Pinot noir Chlieno Valley Vineyard
Situated on the southern edge of the Petaluma Gap in Marin County, and bordering Sonoma to the north, the climate of the Chileno Valley Vineyard is influenced by two bodies of water; the Pacific Ocean along Marin’s west coast and the San Pablo Bay along its eastern flank. The winters are often warmer than its grape growing neighbors, Napa and Sonoma counties, due to Marin’s high rainfall. While bud break often happens earlier in this area compared to other California grape growing regions, Marin’s cool maritime climate results in one of the longest growing seasons in the state, allowing for superb flavor development. The soils of Chileno Valley Vineyard include patches of the Steinbeck soil series and eroded sandstone and are planted to a mix Pinot noir selections and clones.
2009 Couloir Wines Anderson Valley Pinot noir Londer Vineyard
Located approximately 120 miles north of San Francisco and just west of Philo, in a warm pocket in the deep southwestern corner of California's cool Anderson Valley, lies the highly regarded Londer Vineyard. Situated several miles off the main drag of Highway 128 and surrounded by forests of conifers, this special vineyard site is planted to fifteen acres of five different clones of Pinot noir. Most of the vineyard lies on south facing hills, with an ideal combination of well-drained sandy loam covering an underlying clay loam, creating the perfect environment for the slow development of flavors and structure, which produce excellent Pinot noir. The Navarro River forms the southern boundary and brings the fog right up to the vineyard. The blanket of fog that ordinarily curls up from the coast most summer nights and then burns off during the warm dry sunny days allows the vineyard to produce grapes that slowly develop and ripen. The site is farmed by Ardzrooni Vineyard Management, who also oversees other Couloir Wines vineyards including Monument Tree and Roma’s vineyards.
2009 Couloir Wines Anderson Valley Pinot noir Monument Tree Vineyard
Named for the enormous landmark redwood tree that sprouts up amidst the vines, the Monument Tree Vineyard was planted in 1999 to Dijon clones. The soils are comprised of gravelly loam with elevation to 300 feet. These vineyard attributes lend this Pinot noir a unique black spice character with a brilliant spine of bright acidity. This low vigor site was originally planted by Napa Valley’s famed Duckhorn Vineyards and is now owned by Twomey Cellars. Situated at the deep end of Anderson Valley, this is the definition of a true, cool climate vineyard. Wonderful east and southeast facing aspects of the vineyard allow the fruit to enjoy morning light, while avoiding the heat of the afternoon sun. Organically farmed, this is a quintessential, premiere cru Anderson Valley vineyard.
2009 Couloir Wines Mendocino County Pinot noir Oppenlander Vineyard
Located in the small town of Comptche in Mendocino County, California, the Oppenlander Vineyard boasts a heavy clay loam soil, which is unique to the region and specific to this site. The vineyard’s situation, just north of Anderson Valley and a mere eight miles from the Pacific coast, allows the grapes to experience the advantages of its maritime climate; warm hours of sunlight balanced by cooler daytime temperatures. The vineyard is planted to Pommard and Dijon clones. The Oppenlander Vineyard is owned and farmed by Bill and Norm Shandel, who are fifth generation owners. The property was homesteaded in the 1860s and the family continues to reside in the original log home on the estate.
2009 Couloir Wines Anderson Valley Pinot noir Roma's Vineyard
Located on a mountaintop ridge overlooking the heart of Anderson Valley at 1850 feet, Roma’s Vineyard is perfectly situated to take full advantage of the warm sun and cooler daytime temperatures, allowing the Pinot noir grapes more time to develop their intense flavors of black cherry, mineral and earth. Originally planted for sparkling wine production, this phenomenal vineyard was retrained to bi-lateral cordon for fine wine production. The vineyard’s beautiful, classic gold ridge loam soils are planted to the Pommard clone, now approaching its 20th year. Sustainably and organically farmed, this incredible property was managed by Couloir Wines in conjunction with Ardzrooni Vineyard Management in 2009.
