Cakebread Two Creeks Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

Our Two Creeks Pinot Noir opens with aromas of freshly picked red and black cherries, wild strawberries, and candied red raspberry with subtle hints of fresh rose, violet, and spice. Across the palate, this Pinot is medium-bodied with flavors of juicy strawberry, red raspberry, and cherry. Clove, baking spices, and minerality emerge on the bright, strawberry-inflected finish supported by soft tannins and a smooth finish.

VINEYARDS& VINTAGE

We call our family's Annahala and Apple Barn estate vineyards the 'Two Creek Vineyards,' since these former apple orchards sit on the banks of Anderson Creek, not far from the Pacific Ocean. Slight differences in climate –Annahala is closer to the coast and spends more time in fog, while Apple Barn receives longer stretches of sunlight –yield Pinot Noir grapes of distinct personality. Here, the soils and weather patterns are ideal for cultivating Pinot Noir, which thrives in the chilly, maritime climate due to the proximity of the Pacific. This climate promotes slow and even ripening, which results in grapes with maximum fruit flavors and a precise balance of opulence and structure.

WINEMAKING

We harvested at night to retain the freshness, natural acidity, and fruit purity in the final wine. The grapes were then hand-sorted and destemmed before heading to small tanks, where each vineyard block was fermented separately. During fermentation, the lots were gently punched down to extract fruit flavor, color, and fine tannins. A portion of the fruit was fermented with 20% stem retention to add spicy aromatics and complexity to the finished wine. After fermentation, the wine was transferred to French oak barrels (33% new) specifically selected to enhance the expressive elegance of the Anderson Valley fruit. After ten months in barrel, the wine was bottled and allowed to settle before release.