Cecil De Loach planted these delicate Pinot Noir vineyards in 1973 in the Russian River Valley. Located on the plains and gently rolling hills off Olivet Road in western Santa Rosa, this area provides an excellent medium for the coastal fog that blankets our fruit in the mornings and evenings. The cooling moisture facilitates a longer growing season in which Pinot Noir thrives. Coming off one of the coolest and wettest winters in recent memory, the 2019 bud break arrived about two weeks later than normal. Beyond this slow start to the growing season, we saw multiple heat spikes throughout the summer that brought the maturation of the vines more in line with seasons past.

We use old-world techniques, whole berries, and whole clusters to make our Pinot Noir in small batches that we “punch down” up to three times a day. After native yeast fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for up to 10 months to achieve optimum balance and complexity. These Third Alarm Pinot Noir grapes were harvested from multiple vineyards throughout the Russian River Valley. Each barrel in the 3rd Alarm program is hand-picked / tasted through to meet our reserve quality. The 2019 Third Alarm displays a deep maroon hue, with wafting orange peel, tart cherry, and hints of dusty dark chocolate. While notes of black cherry, rhubarb, and cinnamon fill the front palate, there is a well-structured finish of vanilla, coffee, and light elderberry.