Reuling Vineyard Pinot Noir is a favorite among the Sojourn team members. It offers a complex range of red and dark fruit aromas with hints of earth and savory herbs. The vineyard’s unique terroir and collection of suitcase clones produce grapes with distinctive qualities. The vines were planted in 2000 under the direction of Mark Aubert and Peter Michael Winery. They are perched on a small sandy hillside with gentle slopes. The vineyard benefits from the cool marine influences converging from the coast, yet is exposed to the sun and afternoon heat, allowing the grapes to reach optimal maturity. This 2022 Pinot Noir opens with complex dark cherry and berry aromas with hints of mushroom, truffle and Herbes de Provence.

A warm 2022 summer brought one of the earliest harvests on record in the Sonoma Coast, with a September heat wave influencing some picking decisions. Cooler pockets of the Sonoma Coast fared well through the heat and the resulting wines offer depth and finesse. Yields were miniscule, with many vineyards breaking records on the low side for cluster weights. The resulting wines have concentrated flavors with tension and length. All three Reuling Pinot noir clones were fermented separately before being blended just prior to bottling to showcase the complexity of the vineyard. The Reuling clusters were minuscule in 2022, resulting in more depth and intensity. The resulting wine is layered and expressive, offering a mix of red and dark fruit, floral and savory tones.