VINEYARD

Saintsbury purchased Brown Ranch in 1990. Originally a hayfield and Percheron horse farm, we planted 22 acres to Dijon and Pommard clones of pinot noir. Our first harvest was in 1995. The vineyard is located in an area of Carneros we call the "banana belt" in the rolling hills just below the beginnings of the Mayacamas range.

Appellation: Carneros, Napa

Clones: 100% Pommard

Terroir: a mix of loam and clay soil, with hillside locations ideal for drainage.

VINTAGE

An ideal season - no frost, a mild spring and a tranquil summer resulted in very high quality fruit.

WINEMAKING

After night harvesting, the fruit from Brown Ranch travels only a few miles down Old Sonoma Road to Saintsbury. From there, each block remains separate and receives gentle handling starting on the sorting table and into small open top fermenters.

Aging: 11 months in 33% new French oak barrels (Francois Freres and Taransaud)

Production: 371 cases

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: 94 points

Stephen Tanzer's International WIne Cellar: 92 points

Wine Enthusuast: 91 points