Two Acres

AVA

Russian River Valley

Decade

1910s

County

Sonoma

Current Owner

Peter and Elizabeth Meirik

Location Notes

Piner-Olivet area

Wineries

Eagle Ridge Winery

Historical Producers

Carlisle

Characteristics

Cherry, currant, cardamom, tree bark, pine, pepper, rose petal, licorice, cream

Description

Very rare to see an old-vine vineyard this high in Mourvèdre, especially in the Russian River Valley. The vineyard used to be approximately 20 acres but was subdivided in the 1970s and sold off for custom home lots. While a few homeowners kept a few vines (more for decoration than anything), only one owner kept a two-acre piece of the vineyard intact. The vineyard was on the brink of death in 1996 but has been carefully restored back to life.

 

Facts

From the Carlisle Winery & Vineyards website:

“A true gem in Sonoma County! There is little old-vine Mourvèdre in Sonoma County. Yet, here we have two acres of predominantly Mourvèdre planted in 1910. Other varieties planted include Petite Sirah (10%), Syrah (6%), Carignan (4%), Peloursin (3%), and Alicante Bouschet (2%). There are also a few Zinfandel vines in addition to nine whites of a variety called Helena (a white cross of Zinfandel and Mondeuse noir).”

Submitted by

Mike Officer

Certified