Sonoma Coast Vineyards

Owner(s)	Barbara Drady, John Drady
Web site	www.sonomacoastvineyards.com

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John and Barbara Drady founded this label. John is a reserve-duty Gold Ridge Sonoma fireman who wears many hats including assisting with winemaking, marketing the Sonoma Coast Vineyards portfolio of wines, and tending to his pet side project, Fire Engine Red Zinfandel and Syrah wines (a portion of the profits from which support Sonoma County firefighters). Barbara is well known in wine circles for her company, Affairs of the Vine, which conducts educational wine tastings for corporations and other groups, offers several weekend “Wine Boot Camps” where wine enthusiasts can obtain some hands-on grape farming and winemaking experience, and directs the yearly “Pinot Noir Shootout and Summit” in San Francisco. She has developed a trained and exquisite palate from her many prior years in the retail wine business, and her opinions lend great sophistication to the Sonoma Coast Vineyards wines.

The vineyards selected for Sonoma Coast Vineyards wines are situated within a 3-4 mile radius of Freestone and are complemented by vineyards in the Two Rock area on the far southwestern reaches of the Sonoma Coast. Barbara likes to refer to the true Sonoma Coast as “living on the edge.” She offers the following distinctions that typify the true, or as she calls it, the extreme Sonoma Coast: (1) Production limited by temperature, (2) Temperatures which are marginal for ripening, (3) Long growing seasons, (4) Vines that produce grapes with mature fruit at lower sugar levels, (5) Crop loads that are very small, and (6) Thin, rocky, shallow soils that have not been farmed previously and are framed within a very cool climate.

Sonoma Coast Vineyard’s inaugural vintage was 2002. This was winemaker Anthony Austin’s 28th vintage. A University of California Davis graduate in enology, Anthony studied under the great Andre Tchelistcheff. He directed the first crush at Firestone in 1976. Firestone was the first modern-day commercial winery in the Santa Barbara region. The Firestone family in partnership with Suntory Limited of Japan spent $7.5 million dollars (a sizable sum at the time) to build a 40,000 square foot winery north of Santa Ynez. By 1978, Firestone Chardonnay had won a Double Gold in a prestigious London wine competition and multiple awards followed under Austin’s direction. In 1981, Anthony left to establish his own label, Austin Cellars, in Los Olivos. He made two legendary Pinot Noirs in 1982, a Sierra Madre Vineyard and a Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir. The winery was sold in 1992 after one of Austin’s partners was convicted of dealing cocaine to help bankroll the winery.

There are currently three Pinot Noirs: a Sonoma Coast Vineyards blend and single-vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs from Balistreri Vineyard and Petersen Vineyrd. Besides their Pinot Noirs, Sonoma Coast Vineyards has two other wines of great interest. The Chardonnay is a node to Chablis and an excellent example of this style. The Hummingbird Hill Vineyard Sonoma Coast Sauvignon Blanc preserves its varietal purity by partially fermenting the wine in aged French oak and partially cold fermenting it in stainless steel. Sommeliers have loved this wine and it is poured by the glass at some notable Bay Area restaurants.

Sonoma Coast Vineyards wines enjoy a good retail distribution and are also available through the website. For the complete experience, visit John and Barbara at their tasting room in their residence in Forestville (707-874-1993). You cannot help be caught up in their enthusiasm for their wines.

Articles About Sonoma Coast Vineyards

2009 Pinot Noir Summit (7.16 4/18/2009)
California Chardonnay Tasting (7.25 9/5/2009)
Pinot Briefs (6.62 7/19/2008)
Pinot Noir Shootout Prelims (6.48 12/16/2007)
Pinots from the Edge (6.57 4/7/2008)
Sonoma Coast Vineyards (6.14 1/29/2007)
Sonoma Coast Vineyards: West County Pinot Noirs (7.17 5/7/2009)

Reviewed Wines

2006 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Petersen Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 380 cases, $63. Clones 115, 667. 10% whole clusters, 8-day cold soak, hand punch downs, wild and Assmanhausen yeast fermentation, aged 10 months in 50% new 3-year-old air-dried tight grain French oak barrels. Lightly filtered. · Enticing aromas of cherries and strawberries with hints of forest floor and oak char. Brimming with juicy flavors of cherries, cranberries and pomegranate with a vein of earthiness, oak and herbs running through to the finish. Silky with gossamer tannins. The most precocious wine in the Sonoma Coast Vineyards lineup that is ready for drinking now. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »

2005 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Peterson Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 760 six bottle cases, Unreleased. Clones 115, 667 from the Peterson Vineyard. Aged 50% in new French oak for 10 months. This wine is offered for earlier drinking than the Sonoma Coast Vineyards and Balistreri Family Vineyard Pinot Noirs. · Lighter violet in color than the Balistreri. Ripe strawberries, black cherry and tar compose the aromas. Elegant presentation of pure and well-defined red berry and cranberry fruit with a touch of mint. Brisk acidity and a pillowy softness in the mouth. Ready for enjoyment now. Reviewed April 7, 2008 ARTICLE »

2005 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Freestone Hills Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $45. · Available on the website. Red plums and black currants with a spicy and earthy undertone. Bright acidity on the refreshing and lively finish. Reviewed April 18, 2009 ARTICLE »

2005 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

14.2% alc., 395 cases, $45. Sourced from Petersen and Hawk Hill Vineyards. Dijon 95 and Wente clones. Ages sur lees for 11 months using 50% new Sirugue French oak. · Very Burgundian in style featuring flavors of apple, citrus, brioche and roasted nuts with enough bright and crisp acidity to cut through lobster and an underlying minerality that is startling for California. Simply great. Reviewed September 5, 2009 ARTICLE »

2005 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 475 cases, $60. Way too young to drink now and thus still unreleased. · Tempting deep, dark fruits which are still engulfed by oak. Plenty of earthy spirit with a citrus lift on the lingering finish. Reviewed December 16, 2007 ARTICLE »

2005 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 487 cases, $60. Clones 115, 667 and 777. 50% Koos Family Vineyard, 50% Zephyr Ranch Vineyard. 30% whole clusters, cold soaked 8-10 days, hand punch downs, spontaneous wild yeast fermentation supplemented with Assmanhausen yeast. Aged 20-22 months in 50% new French oak barrels. Lightly fined and filtered. · Moderately dark reddish-purple robe. On the nuanced nose there are aromas of black raspberry, forest floor, sage and oak toast. Darkly fruited with prominent plum jam flavors framed by seasoned oak. Admirable elegance and silkiness with brisk acidity showing a bit of citrus peel on the finish. Improves when tasted later in the day suggesting age ability. Wants, needs and should have food if drunk now. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »

2005 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Freestone Hills Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 270 cases, $62. Balistreri (4%) and Zephyr (96%) vineyards. Yields one-half to one ton per acre. 75% de-stemmed, 25% whole clusters, 8-10 day cold soak, hand punch downs, fermentation initiated with wild yeast and finished with Assmanhausen yeast. Aged 21 months in 50% new 3-year-old air-dried tight grain French oak barrels. Lightly fined and filtered. · Ripe berries and cherries create a glass-filling presence on the nose. High-collared ripe dark fruit with a riff of herbs and loam and a healthy acidic spine leaving an impression of grapefruit peel on an amazingly long finish. This wine has more cajones, the ripest fruit and the most comforting mouthfeel of any of the other 2005 vintage Pinot Noirs from Sonoma Coast Vineyards. Tasted again the next day from a previously opened re-corked bottle, it was even better portending a long life ahead. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »

2005 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Balistreri Family Vineyard Freestone View Block Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 72 cases, $67. Clones 114, 115, 667 and 828. 30% whole cluster, 11 day cold soak, hand punch downs two to three times a day, wild and proprietary yeast fermentation. Aged 21 months in 50% new 3-year-old air-dried, tight grain French oak barrels. Lightly fined and filtered. · Aromas of a fresh dark cherry pie entice. Demure dark stone fruits with plentiful oak and a vein of citrus that lingers on the finish. A bit austere and tight now but showing respectable finesse and soft tannins. This wine will perform beautifully at the dinner table. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »

2004 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.23% alc., 1043 cases, $60 was released in January, 2007. It is composed of grapes from 6 vineyards (60% Freestone area) and 7 French clones including Pommard 3, 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, and 828. · It is still un-evolved at this stage. I find that the Drady’s Pinot Noirs take at least a year after purchase to really strut their stuff. The 2003 is just now coming into its own (see page 7), Still, the pedigree is evident. There are copious and dense dark Pinot fruits, some earthiness and mushrooms lurking and a lush texture with a strong but but sensible tannic structure. Reviewed January 29, 2007 ARTICLE »

2004 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.23% alc., 1,043 cases, $60. From seven vineyards in the extreme Sonoma Coast. Clones are Dijon 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, 828, and Pommard 3. Aged 20 months in 50% new French oak. · Deep ruby robe. Intense and rich but reticent nose of dark berries and allspice. Big plush fruit offers a fullness on the palate with notes of lavender, dark chocolate and herbs. Always changing in the glass. This wine reminds me more of Burgundy than most California Pinot Noirs. Obvious sophisticated breeding and winemaking. Needs more time to fully appreciate. Reviewed April 7, 2008 ARTICLE »

2004 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Balistreri Family Vineyard Freestone View Block Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.37% alc., 454 six-bottle cases, $100. The original 4-acre Freestone View Block of the Balistreri Family Vineyard was planted to a range of Pinot Noir Dijon clones in 1999. The 1- acre Alessio Block was added in 2005, two additional blocks were planted to Pinot Noir: Salmon Creek (3.4 acres) and the Bodega Ridge (4.2 acres). The southern-facing property is quite special, situated one mile west of Freestone and a mere four and half miles from the Pacific Ocean. Owned by Jack and Kathy Balistreri, this vineyard is one of the coldest vineyards on the extreme Sonoma Coast. High density planting of five Dijon clones (114, 115, 667, 777, 828). Yields are less than one ton per acre. 25% whole cluster. 10-day cold soak after clones blended together. Aged 20 months in 50% new French oak (36-month air dried barrels. Sonoma Coast Vineyards plans to build a winery on the Balistreri property in the near future. · Deep reddish-purple robe. Aromatic profile is complex with intense dark plum fruit, forest floor, steak char, roses and a little good funk. Attractive wild berry core with herbal overtones. Velvety texture and plenty of snappy acidity at end. Still relatively young and shy, cellaring for one to two years will reward the patient. Reviewed April 7, 2008 ARTICLE »

2004 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Ballisteri Vineyard Pinot Noir

14.37% alc., <200 cases, $100. Will not be released until the summer of this year. I wanted to get my hands on some of this now. The wine is from the Ballistreri Family vineyard, Freestone View Block , consisting of Dijon clones 114, 115, 667, 777, and 828. · Still tight like its estate brethren, the aromatics attack the senses with wondrous Pinot extracts. It is fat in the mouth with dark stone fruit, game and soy flavors accented by healthy tannins and an explosive finish. The generous acid backbone portends a long life. Reviewed January 29, 2007 ARTICLE »

2003 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.16% alc., 783 cases, $60. · This was very sexy juice when young and now it is totally scandalous. Full bodied in texture and lush, this smells like earthy mushrooms and dark cherries. In the mouth there are plush ripe berry flavors that carry over into a finish that lasts an eternity. This wine has plenty of structure for the long haul. It builds in intensity over time in the glass which is a sign of a great wine. Still good the next day from an opened bottle. Reviewed January 29, 2007 ARTICLE »

2003 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.16% alc., 783 cases, $60. Clones 113, 114,115, 667, 777, Pommard 3, Swan from six vineyards. Aged 19 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · On the aged nose there are aromas of dark fruits with a hint of porto, forest floor and crusty bread. Very ripe fruit accented by cigar box, root beer and raisin. Very smooth and silky with a pleasing dry finish. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »

2002 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.28% alc., 715 cases, $60. · Deep plum, blackberry and black cherry aromas set the stage for an onslaught of dark fruit flavors highlighted by herbs, wet earth and oak. Easy to drink, and Burgundian in spirit, this Pinot has the right balance of acid and dusty tannins to complement food. Reviewed January 29, 2007 ARTICLE »

2002 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.28% alc., 715 cases, $60. Clones 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, Beringer from four vineyards. Aged 19 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Strange fruitless aromatics resembling ranch dressing. Grape flavors, a touch of raisin, leather and oak. Moderately light with a very silky texture and moderate fine-grained tannins. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »