2012 Wind Gap Woodruff Vineyard Pinot Noir

Wind Gap is the latest enterprise of winemaker Pax Mahle and his wife Pamela. The pair were previously part owners of the Sonoma Winery Pax Wine Cellars, but after a falling out with the majority owner, the couple left and started Wind Gap in 2006. The couple sources their grapes from Napa Valley, the Sonoma coast and Paso Robles. Their aim, they say, is to make "honest, authentic and compelling wines from special vineyard sites." While at Pax Wine Cellars, Pax Mahle was considered an up-and-coming maker of artisanal wines. At Wind Gap Mahle continues his enthusiasm for French influenced winemaking and the occasional foray into off-beat varietals, such as Trousseau Gris, a white wine grape grown primarily in France’s Jura region and more recently in select California vineyards. Wind Gap also makes Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay and Grenache, all of which earn compliments from reviewers. Wine Advocate has written that Wind Gap wines “are some of the most gorgeous, nuanced wines being made in California today…. (the) wines achieve that elusive balanced of depth without excess heaviness.”

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA includes high elevation territory in the counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo. The AVA follows the coast line from San Francisco to Monterey with elevations from 400 feet to 3,000 feet above sea level. There are 1,500 vineyard acres and the AVA was established in 1981. Despite the challenging terrain in these rugged mountains and hills, highly esteemed wineries have been located here since the early 20th century, when Paul Masson, a Frenchman by birth, started making sparkling wine in the area. By the 1970s vineyards were growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Numerous microclimates within the AVA offer viticulturists diverse growing conditions, and many varietals are grown successfully.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.