From our mountain vineyard that overlooks the Sonoma Coast in the 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 52-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.

93 Points –  Wine Advocate
The 2017 Pinot Noir Estate Top of Land takes its time to unfurl to cranberries and blackberries with nuances of black tea, woodsmoke, dusty earth and amaro. The medium-bodied palate is spicy and nuanced with a grainy frame and long, uplifted finish. 

93 Points –  James Suckling
Dried leaves, sweet tobacco, spices and dried red and dark cherries abound here. This has impressive layering of fine tannin and ripe, fresh red cherries that build nicely into the long, plush and silky finish. Drink or hold. September, 2019.

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Aged 10 months in 45% new French oak and all from the estate Fort Ross Vineyard, the 2017 Pinot Noir Top Of Land gives up an elegant, layered, medium-bodied style that offers more dark berry fruits, mulberries, toasted spice, and dried earth nuances. It's complex and has a seamless texture, polished tannins, and a good finish. This is another charming, balanced, classic wine from this address.

★★★★+ EXCELLENT - Restaurant Wine, Ronn Wiegand MS/MW
The Top of Land is complex and vibrant, an excellent Pinot Noir in a medium-full style that is balanced, crisp, long on the palate, and persistent on the finish, tasting of cherry, rose petal, pomegranate, and toasty oak. Very fine quality; can be aged.