Leitmotif 2018 Duvarita Vineyard Pinot Noir
Winery Notes:
The 2018 Pinot Noir, Duvarita Vineyard is a selection of 3 barrels, chosen for their complexity, purity and expression of terroir. Duvarita Vineyard sits on a sandy hillside, a stone’s throw to the west of the Santa Rita Hills. One of the most coastal plantings in the county, this marginal, cool-climate growing site perfectly ripens Pinot Noir, with morning fog and cold ocean breezes maintaining freshness in the fruit. Well-drained, sandy soils force the roots to search deep for water and nutrients, naturally controlling vigor, and producing a small but intense crop. 50% stem inclusion during fermentation, and judicious use of new French oak through the maturation further highlight a balanced, but muscular expression of the varietal, with structure that should allow it to age effortlessly for years to come. This Pinot Noir was allowed to ferment spontaneously, with native yeasts indigenous to the Duvarita Vineyard, further showcasing the character of this unique terroir.