Vineyard Site

Perched at 850 feet elevation, Campbell Ranch rests on the very edge of the residual marine layer from the Pacific Ocean in the West Sonoma Coast appellation. Carved from this rugged and unique maritime landscape, the terroir is ensconced by redwoods and ferns. Farmed by Steve Campbell, the vines are about twenty years old, low-yielding, sitting atop Goldridge soil. 

Winemaking

This wine was harvested in mid-September (9.15, 9.17, and 9.20) between 24.8-25.5 brix. After a five-day cold soak and two weeks of fermentation, the wine aged for fifteen months in 38% new French oak before bottling. The coopers included Boutes, Sirugue, Cavin, Rousseau, and Gamba. 

Dan’s Notes

Campbell Ranch has held a very special place in my heart since 2013, when we used the fruit from the coastal vineyard for the first time. I’ve always been intrigued by the subtle complexity that the vineyard offers. 2021 was a fairly intense vintage, boasting broad red and black fruit. But what is unique about this land other than the complex fruit are the savory undertones that make one think about the nuances of the wine and how fruit meets earth. Hints of pine needle and earthiness compliment the juicy complexity of the dark fruit, making for a profile that covers the entire palate through the long, dusty finish.