At the Californian winery Kistler, nestled in the A.V.A. Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, a 25-year deliberation has been underway. Which clone of pinot noir should they commit to? The two contenders, both originating from a Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy, are strikingly similar: exceptionally low yields, diminutive berries, high concentrations, and a naturally rich and flavorful acidity. With both clones equally exceptional, and facing an indecisive heart, they have ultimately resolved to embrace both. From this blend arises Kistler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, a single-varietal red of depth, power, and intensity.
For the Kistler family, with over three decades of winemaking on the West Coast of the United States, this choice was pivotal, as they place the utmost importance on the vineyard and the fields. Indeed, they consider themselves first and foremost as vintners and farmers, acutely aware of the significance of the terroir in any vinification process. They are not alone in this meticulous journey. They work hand in hand with local growers throughout the year. All their toil and dedication culminate in one critical night, at the moment of harvest, when the grape clusters are swiftly collected and transported to the winery.
Minimal intervention is the guiding principle in the vinification of all Kistler wines, a philosophy that will also be honored in Kistler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. This approach ensures that the terroir can express itself without any interference. This was the founding vision of Kistler in 1978, aspiring to craft intriguing, site-specific wines that are true reflections of their origin. Consequently, thanks to the work of indigenous yeasts, Kistler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir becomes a pure embodiment of the Pacific influence, the coastal fogs, the sandy Goldridge soils, the Gravenstein ridge's gravel, and the northern winds that buffet the vineyards. Kistler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is destemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks under round-the-clock supervision. Once the process is complete and the wine has been transformed, the tank of Kistler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is opened and allowed to bleed (a process where the juice flows from the tank by gravity), without any pressing (even if they wished to, they could not, as they lack the machinery). Finally, oak barrels will be the last sojourn for Kistler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, where it will spend approximately 10 months maturing until it is bottled unfiltered and unfined.
The idea of crafting vineyard-specific wines in the United States was inconceivable some 30 years ago. It had never been done until the Kistler family came along. And what they do, they do exquisitely.