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Location: 9 miles South and East of Santa Rosa
Owner: Mitch Black
Varietals: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay
Elevation: 800ft – 900 ft
Soil: Too many to count. Volcanic ash, loam, granite, lime stone
Why we like Mitch: Mitch and his family farm Black Knight row by row. There are half a dozen micro climates on the 100 acre property, and each requires special care and attention. Mitch puts his heart and soul into the property and knows each stone and vine. Vineyards and wine start with the people who tend the land. No more true than for BKV.
Why we like the vineyard: Sunny on one part of the vineyard, cloudy on another. White volcanic ash under the Pommard clone, gravely loam for the chard, and volcanic rock for the Dragon’s Back. BKV is perhaps the most diverse vineyard in all of Sonoma. The Pinots are delicate and floral and the Chardonnays race with acidity and minerality.
Animal Friends: Commander Ryker and Eowyn are two rescue labs that run free on the property. Ryker being silver and Eowyn gold are the name sake for our Silver and Gold Chardonnay.
Montagne Russe Wines Produced:
2015 Silver & Gold Chardonnay – 91 Points, Robert Parker
2016 Silver & Gold Chardonnay – 93 Points, James Suckling
2017 Silver & Gold Chardonnay
2015 Dragon’s Back Pinot Noir – 94 Points, Robert Parker
2016 Dragon’s Back Pinot Noir – 93 Points, Robert Parker; 94 Points, James Suckling
2017 Dragon’s Back Pinot Noir
2018 Dragon’s Back Pinot Noir
Location: 10 miles north of Petaluma
Owner: Sangiacomo Family
Varietals: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Elevation: 100-150 ft</p>
Soil: Silty Gravel
Why we like the Sangiacomos: I had the pleasure of meeting the family at a comparative tasting of Pinots from their various different ranches. Mike Sangiacomo sat next to me personally chatting to me about the barrel sample I had brought. They treated me like we were buying 40 tons of fruit instead of two.
Why we like the vineyard: Built on the old bed of a creek, the soil drains excessively well. This is a vineyard that produces light and expressive wines. The vineyard crew will harvest one ton or one row for us so we can ripen both of our clones separately. They pull only the finest clusters off the vine leaving anything that doesn’t make the cut. They clearly have learned amazing farming over the last 90 years!
Animal Friends: Just an occasional buck that slips through the gate if you leave it open.
Montagne Russe Wines Produced:
2017 Roberts Road Chardonnay
2017 Roberts Road Pinot Noir – 93 Points, James Suckling
2018 Roberts Road Pinot Noir – 91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Location: Penngrove
Owner: Bill Price
Varietals: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Elevation: 300 – 800ft|
Soil: Clay, Loam, Volcanic Rock
Why we like the vineyard: This vineyard has rich volcanic soils, and multiple elevation changes, which creates many microclimates throughout the 406 acre property. Wines from this iconic vineyard produce deep and expressive wines.
Montagne Russe Wines Produced:
2021 Gap’s Crown Pinot Noir – 93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Location: On the east side of Petaluma
Owners: Charles and Diana Karren
Varietals: Pinot Noir
Elevation: ~50-70 ft.
Soil: clay, loam, alluvial
Why we like the Karrens: I met Diana over a cup of coffee in her kitchen to discuss the possibility of selling me two tons of fruit. I was too small of a client of course… after that cup of coffee she saw our vision and we partnered on two tons of Calera Clone Pinot Noir.
Why we like the vineyard: This site is closer to the water than any of our other vineyards, perhaps just a smidge warmer, but the soil …. Run your hands through the dirt of the rolling hills and you will find sea shells from the ancient sea beds.
Animal Friends: Hawks and owls protect the vineyard from gophers and moles – Diana’s father Vadim had built by hand 4 raptor roosts and 10 owl boxes for them. Neighboring cows. Vineyard dog.
Montagne Russe Wines Produced:
2021 Terra de Promissio Pinot Noir – 94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
2019 Terra de Promissio Pinot Noir – 92 Points, James Suckling
2018 Terra de Promissio Pinot Noir – 91 Points, James Suckling
Location: 3 miles due west of Downtown Petaluma
Owner: Cabell Coursey
Varietals: Pinot Noir
Elevation: 450-475ft
Soil: Gravely Loam
Why we like Cabell: Cabell purchased the vineyard from Karen London in 2017. Karen had planted and farmed the vineyard since 2005. Cabell has picked up the tradition of low yield farming that translates into complex wines.
Why we like the vineyard: Being in the heart of the Petaluma Gap, the wind is key on this property. There is always a nice breeze and a lot of sun on the flat, gently sloping property. The UV and wind keep the berries small and the skins thick, creating some of our most complex Pinots with fine tannis.
Animal Friends: None other than a herd of Scottish Highland and Waygu cattle, and some chickens and roosters that roam free.
Montagne Russe Wines Produced: 2015 Spring Hill Ranch Pinot Noir – 95 Points, Robert Parker; 93 Points, James Suckling
2016 Spring Hill Ranch Pinot Noir – 93+ Points, Robert Parker; 93 Points, James Suckling
2017 Spring Hill Ranch Pinot Noir – 93 Points, James Suckling; Double Gold, SF Chronicle
2018 Spring Hill Ranch Pinot Noir – Double Gold, SF Chronicle
Location: 10 miles north of Petaluma
Owner: Sangiacomo Family
Varietals: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Elevation: 50-150 ft
Soil: Gravelly Loam
Why we like the Sangiacomos:
I had the pleasure of meeting the family at a comparative tasting of the pinots from their various different ranches. Mike Sangiacomo sat next to me personally chatting to me about the barrel sample I had brought. They treated me like we were buying 40 tons of fruit instead of two.
Why we like the vineyard:
Situated right near the San Pablo bay, this vineyards North/South rows take in the coastal influence. The top of the vineyard is perfect for our Syrah that blends the best of warm weather that Carneros is known for, with the breeze that makes the Petaluma Gap famous.
Animal Friends: None.
Montagne Russe Wines Produced:
2017 Old Lakeville Road Syrah – SOLD OUT
2018 Old Lakeville Road Syrah
