From our mountain vineyard that overlooks the Sonoma Coast and now part of the new Fort Ross-Seaview American Viticultural Area, Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery produces limited quantities of single vineyard, Estate grown, cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinotage. With spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean less than one mile away, the vineyard is divided into 32 separate blocks, one-half to two acres in size, that range in elevation from 1700 down to 1200 feet above sea level. Owners, Lester and Linda Schwartz with their small crew began preparing the 55 acre vineyard in 1994. It took them 4 years of preparation before they could begin planting. The year 2000 marked the first vintage from the Fort Ross Vineyard.
94 Points - Wine Advocate, Robert Parker
The 2014 Chardonnay Fort Ross Vineyard is a beauty. It spent 10 months in 30% new French oak (785 cases) and shows notes of crushed wet rock, crisp orange blossom, white currant and discrete oak. Some poached pear also makes an impression in this unfined and unfiltered Chardonnay that should drink nicely for 5 to 7 years. Early - Drink 2016-2023
94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
This well-made, crisply styled wine is zesty in lime and stony minerality, with a background grasp of the sea. Briny, it has well manicured layers of toasty oak, green apple and persistent acidity - a wise choice for the table. -V.B
90 Points - Wine Spectator
Robust and richly flavored, built around honeyed apricot, fig and melon notes, with cedary oak accents. Drink now through 2020. —J.L.
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
The hue is a hazy pale lemon, evidence of subtle stirring of the lees (batônnage) and bottling without fining or filtration. The generous almost viscous texture weaves seamlessly together with the vibrant acidity and
minerality characteristic of the Fort Ross Vineyard’s coastal terroir. Vivid aromas of citrus blossom, melon, and lemon tart with hints of marzipan soar. Layers of fleshy apricot and autumnal pear with hints of citrus and spice evolve on the palate lead to the expansive finish.
Vineyard Notes
2014 was the third year of bountiful harvests that again produced stellar wine of vibrancy and concentration.
Protected from the drought by the late winter rains that quickly filled our pond, we could enjoy one of the few luxuries of being off the grid. As we train our grapes to grow on cordons, with evenly positioned buds that would produce evenly placed shoots, we had the privilege of dropping clusters that were not perfectly
positioned. We went through the vineyard three times to ensure that the bunches would enjoy free air
circulation and optimal sun exposure. The depth of flavor of the wine from this vintage reflects this meticulous handwork. August 17 marked the beginning of the harvest with picking a select block of Pinot Noir Dijon 777 for our new Sparkling Wine Program. The remaining Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinotage ripened quickly and evenly and was harvested by the middle of September.
Winemaker Notes
The grapes were handpicked during the cool hours of the night in small two-gallon picking trays then hand sorted in the vineyard and gently whole cluster pressed at the winery. After pressing, the juice was put into barrels and underwent primary and malolactic fermentation in a combination of 30% new and 70% neutral French oak. This discrete use of new oak allowed the fruit to shine. This wine is comprised of small berried old Hyde field selection chosen for its richness and sleek structure and small berried old Wente for its luscious fruit and grace. These heritage field selections have full, complex flavors that are intensified by the small size of both the bunches and the berries.
