Ceritas Trout Gulch Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, USA 2022
Our southernmost vineyard, Trout Gulch, sits a mere 3.5 miles from the ocean. Trout Gulch sits at 750 feet above the hamlet of Aptos in the southern Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyard was planted in 1980 to Wente Chardonnay and Mt Eden Pinot Noir and is carefully tended to by winemaker/vigneron Richard Alfaro. Uplifted oceanic sandy soils create unique drainage sending the vines deep into marine-derived sub-soils. Tucked into a cool coastal redwood drainage allows temperatures here to stay cooler than expected – summertime highs rarely exceeding 80F.
"A medium ruby hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir Trout Gulch also comes from the Santa Cruz Mountains, where this vineyard sees more southern and coastal influence and is situated only 3.5 miles from the ocean. Compared to the Mindego Ridge, it shows a darker and more savory profile. On the nose, it’s layered and complex with notes of wild raspberries, fresh pine, fresh roses, and sea spray. The palate has a more angular structure, with medium body, crunchy, ripe tannins, refreshing, snappy acidity, and a chalky, mineral texture. It also expresses undercurrents of more savory umami notes through the finish, which will only enhance the wine as it comes into its own over the next several years." Jeb Dunnuck 96
