Insights & Articles A Study of Our Vineyards
“The vision of the winemaker starts in the field.”
We have the great privilege of farming small select parcels across more than two dozen very special vineyard sites.
It takes time, working with a vineyard, to discover its defining characteristics. Then, it takes even longer to use the right winemaking techniques and sensitivity to highlight those features in the wine. A lightness of touch in our winemaking allows us to achieve a more complex, multi-dimensional, “effortless” quality in our wines.
Over two decades, we’ve gained access to some truly legendary sites. And we’ve achieved close personal relationships with our growers. Our shared respect for the land, our dedication to the work, and our mutual respect for each other, carry through to the final product. We work with good people and we’re going to make some amazing wines.
From first pruning through to the day of harvest, we’re out there farming the land in a way that draws out the singularity of each parcel. We minimize our footprint in the vineyard, stay very close to the “ingredients” and let the vineyards speak for themselves.
MENCÍA MacIntyre Estate Vineyard
CHENIN BLANC MacIntyre Estate Vineyard
NAPA SOILS Haire Clay Loam Haire Loam
Insights & ArticlesOur 2024 Spring Release
We’re thrilled to present our Spring 2024 Release, featuring the first Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah wines from the beautiful 2022 vintage. Our 2022 harvest began on August 12th, the earliest in our 28-year-history and a growing season that resulted in generously layered Chardonnays and supple, vibrant Pinot Noirs.
The Spring 2024 Release brings together our most renowned classics— 2022 Highland Divide Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Charles Heintz Vineyard Isobel Chardonnay, Wildrose Estate Pinot Noir and Wild Mountainside Syrah, along with the 2022 MacIntyre Estate Pinot Noir, whose precedented vintage just received a 100-point score and “Wine of the Year” from Antonio Galloni. Completing the release are two wines newer to the DuMOL portfolio: 2022 Cuvée HHS Chardonnay from Carneros’ legendary Hyde and Hudson vineyards, and our second release of Dutton-Jentoft Vineyard Pinot Noir— a stunning wine rich with history. Both wines have truly earned their place in the DuMOL collection, and we’re thrilled to share them with you this spring.
Winemaker Andy Smith considers 2022 to be an “essence of Pinot Noir” vintage. “The wines are fruit-laden, supple, vibrant and layered,” he describes. “There are no sharp edges that require aging - everything’s in its place. They combine early drinkability with classical balance between fruit, texture and structure, and this ensures they’re capable of aging positively in bottle, gaining complexity, for up to ten years.” For those looking to savor the wines earlier, he notes, “The wines are expansive and broad with lower acidity and less tannin than the 2021s, so you could even drink them while waiting for those to age further. I’m reminded of our 2014 Pinots when I taste the vintage.”
Similarly, the 2022 Chardonnays are generously layered, lower in acidity than the 2021s, and can be opened soon after release. “There's an oiliness and deep concentration to the fruit that’s especially appealing,” Andy adds. “We aged the wines for an extended period on their fermentation lees, which has deepened their texture while keeping the wines vibrant and alive. There’s a distinct stylistic similarity to our 2019s.”
When it comes to choosing your favorites from this release, please peruse Andy’s tasting notes for each wine. Your palate will guide you towards the wines you resonate with. We’re honored to have you as Members, and we look forward to sharing this remarkable selection with you.
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