2021
Following the moderate precipitation of the previous year, 2021 brought similar rainfall. However, in refreshing contrast to previous years, 2021 was devoid of extreme weather events, allowing for gradual ripening leading into a smooth and steady harvest.
Aside from the conservative amount of rain, growing conditions were near-ideal across our Sonoma Coast vineyard sites. The vines awoke from their dormancy along a “typical” timeline, achieving budbreak in mid-March. With a mellow spring, the vines began the season leisurely, slowly warming as summer approached. In one notable exception to the otherwise temperate springtime, Anderson Valley endured a late-season frost that resulted in reduced yields.
The dry spring turned into a mild summer, without any major heat spikes. Vine vigor was reined in due to drought conditions, and even ripening was observed across the board.
Harvest began as August came to a close, with Alberigi Pinot as the first to enter the cellar, and the Estate Pinot Noir quickly followed. By the third week of September, all our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir was steadily fermenting in the winery, giving us a moment to breathe. Showing exceptional concentration, the Syrah and Zinfandel were harvested in early October.
Overall, 2021 was defined by drier growing conditions without significant heat spikes or cold snaps, yielding vibrant, focused wines that reflect each vineyard’s terroir and lengthy aging potential. We look forward to seeing how the expressive 2021 vintage wines continue to mature and evolve in bottle.
