2005 Sonoma Coast Hurst Vineyard Pinot Noir
The wines are produced from vineyards situated on opposing slopes of a small north/south valley that is part of the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed on the perimeter of Sebastopol. The soil is the loamy Gold Ridge series, a prized vineyard medium.

The 2005 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, is drawn from three clonal selections (Pommard, 777, and 115) that are planted on the largely eastward facing slopes of the Hurst Family Vineyard. Our wines are produced under the watchful eye of our winemaker, Steven Canter.

• Production was 410 cases.
• The 3 clones (Pommard, 777, 115) utilized each make up a third of the wine.
• Harvest occurred mid-September 2005.
• 40% of the wine was aged in new Rousseau medium-toast puncheons, with the balance being raised in reconditioned, neutral barriques.
• The three clonal lots were harvested, fermented and aged separately for 10 months. They were then assembled and married in cask prior to bottling in late August, 2006.

2006 Sonoma Coast Hurst Vineyard Pinot Noir
We feel that this wine, our third bottling from the largely east facing slopes of the Hurst vineyard, reflects both our evolving understanding of this distinctive site and evidence of the complete coming of age of the vines themselves. Although yields were moderately higher than 2005's short crop, the wine's ample mid-palate fruit concentration is evidence of the vineyard's scant 3 tons per acre output.

• Clonal selections: 1/3 each Pommard, 777 and 115
• Harvest commenced in mid-September and concluded October 5th
• Coopereage: 40% new 450 liter Rousseau puncheons, the balance was aged in neutral puncheons and barrique.
• Alcohol:14.4%
• Production totals: 570 cs of 750 ml; 90 cs of 375 ml; 20 cs of 1.5 L
  

2006 Sonoma Coast Estate Vineyard Syrah
Our Estate Syrah’s dark, blue-glinted depth of color is a clear reflection of the long cool growing season and the small crop of concentrated berries that we drew from our corner of the broad Sonoma Coast appellation.

• Clonal selections: Hudson, Estrella, Syrah Noir, 877, Durell, 174, a Shiraz selection, and a 4% inclusion of co-fermented Viognier
• Harvested from two different blocks on October 15th and October 27th
• Cooperage: 10% in Rousseau 450 liter puncheon, the balance in 2 and 3 year old Rousseau and Bilion puncheon and neutral barrique
• Production totals: 400 cs of 750 ml; 95 cs of 375 ml; 20 cs of 1.5 L

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A Note About Our Winemaker:
Steven Canter brings a lot to the table as a winemaker because his distinct intelligence, curiosity and quest for flavor have led him towards challenging and unconventional life choices. He is a gifted musician who attended Boston’s famed Berklee College of Music (in addition to schooling at Harvard). His life path has shaped his commitment to artisan winemaking. Of equal importance, his rigorous standards and worldly sense of taste have guided him in his quest to produce exceptionally crafted, finely balanced wines.

When he wasn’t playing in bands, Steven was weaving together an extensive wine-driven resumé that included retail and wholesale marketing experience in the Boston area, sommelier duty at the Grand Award winning restaurant Toppers in Nantucket, and eventually winemaking internships on 4 continents. His hands-on winemaking experience included stages at Corte Pavone in Montalcino, Beaumont in South Africa, Deloach in Sonoma, and several years of harvest work at Torbreck in Australia’s Barossa Valley. He has operated Luddite Vineyards, his own winery for the last several years, and he was the winemaker for Davis Bynum and Cahill Winery in 2004 and 2005. Currently he is the winemaker at Quivira Vineyards in Sonoma's Dry Creek appellation.

Of particular value to us is how his broad experience has given him the skills to render wines that express a sense of place. He has been an invaluable collaborator in our effort to capture the unique fruit expression of the Baker Lane Vineyards.