Savoy Vineyard: Innovation Leads to Excellence

There are special vineyards in California that have proven over time to possess exceptional terroir for Pinot Noir. In the Anderson Valley of California, Savoy Vineyard is one such vineyard that is among the most recognizable names in this appellation. Located northwest of the town of Philo, the vineyard lies at the base of the hills and comprises the last knolls as well as the gently sloping terraces below them which lead eventually to the Navarro River which flows through part of the Anderson Valley. The vineyard is protected on two sides, one by the aforementioned hills and on the Southeast by a little rise which leads into Philo. The result is that the vineyard, although situated in the cooler end of the Anderson Valley, is warmer than most of its neighbors. Refer to red “A” below.

Rich Savoy and Ted Lemon (Littorai), who has crafted Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noirs since the mid 1990s and was the first to vineyard designate the site several years before anyone else, provided me with detailed information about Savoy Vineyard.

Savoy Vineyard was planted by owner Rich Savoy in 1991 (10 acres, 5 acres of Pinot Noir, 5 acres of Chardonnay), in 1992 (25 acres, 10 acres of Pinot Noir, 15 acres of Chardonnay) and in 1994 (5 acres of Pinot Noir). Some areas have been replanted or grafted over since the original planting due to issues with vine health, emergence of better clones, or a desire to change the variety. Some Chardonnay acreage was grafted over to Pinot Noir so that the vineyard is now split between 29 acres of Pinot Noir and 15 acres of Chardonnay. Savoy vineyard is planted in 7’ x 5’ spacing with a modern vertical trellis system. The vineyard was part of the first wave of modern plantings in California to use both newer phylloxera-resistant rootstocks and narrower spacing with a truly vertical trellis system. The ten Pinot Noir clones are Dijon 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, 2A, Pommard, Calera, and Martini 13 and 15. Rich Savoy says, “The idea is to provide wineries with different clones to have a variety of styles, but also maintain the site style.”

Like any vineyard of size, their are differences in the terroir in various portions of the site. The knolls are generally composed of sandy loams weathered from sandstone. They have moderate moisture holding capacity and moderate to very low vigor. The alluvial terraces are more darkly colored loams underlain with clay loams. The higher clay content of these terraces means that they have higher moisture holding capacity and moderate vigor and some of the areas within the terraces may soon be dry farmed.

The Littorai sections contain both soil types and several clones including 114, 115, 667, 777, Pommard and Calera. For the 114, 115 and Pommard, these sections have been the same since they were originally planted in 1992. The 114 section has been dry farmed for many years, the 115 and Pommard receive minimal irrigation (between 6 to 12 gallons per vintage). Ted hopes to dry farm these sections in the next few years.

Ted Lemon describes Rich Savoy as a very innovative vineyard owner. “He was open to and indeed enthusiastic about, the idea of mixed clonal plantings on a small scale before most wineries, much less most vineyardists, caught on to the idea. The same holds true for by-the-acre contracts. Rich has always had a clear understanding of the relationship between quantity and quality.”

Noted viticulturist, Paul Ardzrooni, took a long term lease on the site from Rich following the 2007 vintage. Paul is now the active farmer, but he continues to work closely with Rich who contributes years of experience with the site.

In the 2007 vintage, Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir was bottled as vineyard designates by Adrian Fog, Barnett Vineyards, Benovia, Breggo Cellars, Drew, Littorai, Radio-Coteau and Roessler Cellars. I sampled each of these wines recently and tasted them blind. The Savoy Vineyard Chardonnay was sourced by Barnett Vineyards, Breggo Cellars and Radio-Coteau. Rich Savoy said the 2007 vintage "was a more intense year, but balanced, with low crop loads."

The Savoy Vineyard designation on a label is a stamp of superior quality. Generally, darker fruits are evident, tannins provide good structure and age ability, and bright acidity complements the fruit. The wines are long in the mouth and vigorous with flavor and character. The wines can be serious, structured and assertive in their youth, but soften and integrate beautifully over time. I have sampled Littorai Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noirs back to 1996 and can vouch for their age ability in the hands of a talented winemaker.