City Winery has establishing relationships with a number of premium vineyards for the 2011 harvest. Here’s a look at one of our partners, Bien Nacido Vineyard.

VARIETY: Pinot Noir / Q block
LOCATION/REGION: Santa Maria, Central Coast, CA
CLONE: 777 & Pommard Clones on its own root.
TERROIR: well-drained sandy loams that have a cobbly clay loam subsoil.
OTHER INFO: Single cane on VSP
PRICE: $2,780 per barrel

DESCRIPTION: Bien Nacido has the distinction of being one of the major viticultural nurseries in the state for certified, varietal budwood. Most of the vines were originally from stock grown by the University of California at Davis. While the average increase block in California is less than 10 acres, Planted 37 years ago, the Bien Nacido Vineyard is one of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in the region, consisting of over 800 acres of planted vines. The maritime-influenced climate is conducive to growing the finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the state.

WINE STYLE: Lovely juicy plum and red cherry fruit with rich flesh and spice; complex, dense and exquisite with balance and style.