The Monarch Pinot Noir is a tribute to our diverse vineyards in Sonoma County. Named in honor of the delicate yet resilient Monarch butterfly, it showcases the best barrel selections of our six estate vineyards, each contributing its unique terroir to create a blend of elegance and depth. Thoughtfully crafted by our winemaking team, this wine delivers a harmonious and captivating expression of pinot noir.

In 2022, we saw a continuation of the drought in CA, with warm weather, early bloom, and long, slow flowering. Some of our vineyard blocks that flowered during the cold stretch did not set as much fruit as typical, so we saw lower yields for the year. While this isn’t ideal from a quantity standpoint, quality was great, and things began moving along quickly. We started harvest in mid-August, a week or two earlier than “normal,” and as we approached Labor Day, we saw a heat wave on the horizon. We were in a good spot and could bring in much of our fruit before the heat. The grapes we let hang through the heat were still a ways away from being ready to harvest. In recent years we have been leaving more leaves on the vines to help shade and keep the fruit on the vines from being scorched by the sun. This decision helped us this year in particular. After the heat, temperatures cooled in the region, and we were able to bring in the rest of our fruit in the weeks following. All in all, we are very happy with the quality of this vintage and thankful for our team rallying during this intense time of year.

The wine unfolds with licorice and sweet oak notes, and as you journey through each sip, there is an earthier component of rich black fruit, blackberry, and the Sonoma Coast tannic bite. The richness of cardamom spice, infused with red currant and plum, adds depth. The wine’s smooth texture delivers a warm embrace as you savor each nuanced layer.