The Russian River Valley offers the perfect climate for growing Pinot Noir. Fog rolls in nightly from the nearby Pacific Ocean and cools the temperature down as much as 35-40 degrees each evening. This temperature differential allows the grapes to ripen slowly and retain their natural acidity for better balance. The appellation is also known for a diversity of soil compositions. Each vineyard influences the fruit with different flavor profiles. When blended together, this tapestry creates a more complex wine.

2016 was a traditional vintage that began with cold, rainy weather. Late bud break led to a long growing season. With the opportunity for extra hang time, the fruit achieved optimal phenolic development. Conditions were further optimized by staggered ripening, where each varietal reached maturity a week or two apart. This allowed the winemaking team to devote more attention to each vineyard that was harvested. Together, these conditions produced intense flavor concentration and very high quality fruit.