Approximately 200 miles south of San Francisco, a vineyard unlike any other stretches 1,850 contiguous acres through both warm and cool climate regions with a distinctive soil that gives meaning to the term terroir. This place is home to Lockwood Vineyard, producers of fine wine in Monterey, California since 1989.
The Lockwood estate vineyard consists of a unique soil that was recognized by the United States Geological Survey in 1946 and is only found in two small areas of Central California: Lockwood Vineyard and a coastal cliff region near Big Sur. The "Lockwood Shaly Loam" consists of crushed fossilized seashells similar to chalk and limestone. This soil is uniform to depths of greater than 20 feet, and due to its low nutrient and mineral content, the vines are restrained and must work hard for survival. The added vine stress and excellent water drainage from this soil creates grapes with structure and complexity.
Pinot Noir is a natural here. It is a much cooler climate than any other grape-growing area in California. Because Pinot Noir has very thin skins, what would be a nice bask in the sun for Cabernet or Syrah could turn into a disaster for Pinot Noir. The skin will actually crack, rendering the grape useless.
The 2009 growing season here gave them a mere seven and a half inches of rainfall, which kept the soils moist. Mild weather during bud break and warm seasonal temperatures during fruit set made for a high quality crop. A long steady ripening set the stage for a mid-September pick.
This 2009 Pinot Noir has a nice balance of fruit and spice. As the wine unfolds, it offers flavors of dried cranberry, black tea and cinnamon. A burst of red fruit complements the middle palate and the wine finishes with balanced tannin. It pairs well with seasonal salmon and herb roasted duck.
