March 11, 2010
Clos Pepe: A Grape named Pinot, a Vigneron, a Facilitator, a Dead Head, a Dog named Bud, and a Horse named Charlemagne Whole Cluster Fermentation: A Wild Card Kalin Cellars: Courting Unami Carr Vineyards & Winery: Urban Winery with a Wine Country Soul Benziger Pinot Noir Program Now Shines On the Pinot Trail: Recent Winery Visits Newsworthy Headlines & Trends About Pinot Noir in 2009 Small Sips of Pinot VinAssure™ Wine Preservation System Wes Hagen Discusses Sta. Rita Hills Geology & Clos Pepe Vineyard
Conversation with Stephen Pepe of Clos Pepe Vineyard & Estate Wines
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Sojourn Cellars
| Owner(s) | Erich Bradley, Craig Haserot |
| Web site | www.sojourncellars.com |
| Link to this site |
Plato said “Life is but a sojourn. Enjoy the best of it.” Craig Haserot (wine taster) and Erich Bradley (winemaker) are two buddies who met on the tennis courts of Sonoma and decided to take Plato’s advice. They formed Sojourn Cellars in 2000 and released their first Pinot Noir in 2004. Their handcrafted wines have won considerable praise from the wine press. Production in 2008 is 2,500 cases of Pinot Noir.
Erich's family owned several acres in Sonoma County's Valley of the Moon. He studied winemaking at University of California Davis and Santa Rosa Junior College. His first job was with Dick Arrowood at Arrowood Winery. In 2003, he became the winemaker for Audelssa Estate Winery, working with noted winemaker David Ramey. Most recently he has taken over winemaking duties at Hop Kiln as well.
The wines are made at the Audelssa Estate Winery in Glen Ellen, California. Erich's winemaking is New World in style and the resulting wines are bold and expressive. Two Pinot Noirs were produced in 2006: a Sonoma Coast appellation bottling and a Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Sojourn also releases two Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The wines are sold on the website.
Winemaking is very hands-off, using whole berry native fermentations in small open-tops, hand punch-downs, basket pressing, no pumps, unfined and unfiltered.
The Sojourn Cellars Tasting Salon is open to groups of up to 12 for a personal tasting by appointment, 10:00 to 5:00 daily at no charge. 141 E Napa St., Sonoma. 707-938-7212.
Articles About Sojourn Cellars
Reviewed Wines
2007 Sojourn Gap’s Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., $47. This vineyard is located on west-facing slopes of
Sonoma Mountain, where the winds and cool fog from the Petaluma
Gap are frequently evident. The vineyard is owned and farmed by
Premier Pacific Vineyards. Multiple wineries source from this large
vineyard of about 140 acres planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Pinot Noir clones are Swan, 114, 115, 667, 777 and 828 on four
different rootstocks.
·
Really attractive nose composed of bright black
cherries, red plums and a dusting of oak. Black cherry and black
raspberry fruits cascade easily through the palate complimented by a vein of
citric peel and vanillin. Moderately rich with good purity of flavor and a refined mouth feel. A good effort that is
very well crafted.
Reviewed May 7, 2009
ARTICLE »
2005 Sojourn Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 240 cases, $36. This wine is a blend of
grapes from two Sangiacomo Vineyards - Roberts Road and Vella.
·
A medium-bodied Pinot Noir which
needs air time to express itself. The nose is replete with rhubarb, exotic woods, toast and Xmas spice.
The ripe Pinot fruits tend to the dark flavors and are rustic and tart. The finish delivers a little heat but it is
not over the top.
Reviewed July 9, 2007
ARTICLE »
2005 Sojourn Cellars Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 230 cases, $48. The Sangiacomo Vineyard that supplies the
grapes for this wine in Cotati in the cool northern end of the Petaluma Gap.
The wine is a blend of Dijon clones 115 and 777.
·
The nose is shy initially and
needs plenty of swirling. Xmas spice, especially cinnamon, and leather become
apparent. The flavors tend toward darker fruits with a hint of raisin. There is
more richness in the mid-palate and the finish than the wine above and the
alcohol is better integrated. The texture is smooth and the finish offers a nice
soft landing.
Reviewed July 9, 2007
ARTICLE »
2004 Sojourn Cellars Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Owner Craig Hasserot and winemaker Erich Bradley craft
this excellent Pinot Noir that has been reviewed in the PinotFile favorably in
the past. Tasting the wine in a blind lineup confirms my previous attraction
to it.
·
This wine has shed some weight since last tasted and is quite lovely now.
Plenty of flamboyant oak and smoke in the nose. Plush soft fruits leaning toward
the red side with cinnamon spice. Elegant in style with lively acidity on
the finish.
Reviewed December 16, 2007
ARTICLE »
2007 Sojourn Gap’s Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., $47. This vineyard is located on west-facing slopes of Sonoma Mountain, where the winds and cool fog from the Petaluma Gap are frequently evident. The vineyard is owned and farmed by Premier Pacific Vineyards. Multiple wineries source from this large vineyard of about 140 acres planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Pinot Noir clones are Swan, 114, 115, 667, 777 and 828 on four different rootstocks. · Really attractive nose composed of bright black cherries, red plums and a dusting of oak. Black cherry and black raspberry fruits cascade easily through the palate complimented by a vein of citric peel and vanillin. Moderately rich with good purity of flavor and a refined mouth feel. A good effort that is very well crafted. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »
2005 Sojourn Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 240 cases, $36. This wine is a blend of grapes from two Sangiacomo Vineyards - Roberts Road and Vella. · A medium-bodied Pinot Noir which needs air time to express itself. The nose is replete with rhubarb, exotic woods, toast and Xmas spice. The ripe Pinot fruits tend to the dark flavors and are rustic and tart. The finish delivers a little heat but it is not over the top. Reviewed July 9, 2007 ARTICLE »
2005 Sojourn Cellars Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 230 cases, $48. The Sangiacomo Vineyard that supplies the grapes for this wine in Cotati in the cool northern end of the Petaluma Gap. The wine is a blend of Dijon clones 115 and 777. · The nose is shy initially and needs plenty of swirling. Xmas spice, especially cinnamon, and leather become apparent. The flavors tend toward darker fruits with a hint of raisin. There is more richness in the mid-palate and the finish than the wine above and the alcohol is better integrated. The texture is smooth and the finish offers a nice soft landing. Reviewed July 9, 2007 ARTICLE »
2004 Sojourn Cellars Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Owner Craig Hasserot and winemaker Erich Bradley craft this excellent Pinot Noir that has been reviewed in the PinotFile favorably in the past. Tasting the wine in a blind lineup confirms my previous attraction to it. · This wine has shed some weight since last tasted and is quite lovely now. Plenty of flamboyant oak and smoke in the nose. Plush soft fruits leaning toward the red side with cinnamon spice. Elegant in style with lively acidity on the finish. Reviewed December 16, 2007 ARTICLE »
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