Starscape Vineyard, Formerly Floodgate Vineyard, Old Vine Pinot Noir
As readers know, I published an extensive article in Volume 12 Issue 8 of the PinotFile dated August 2020 and
titled, “Drinking California Pinot Noir History from ‘Old Vine’ Vineyards: A Bucket List.” Although I had performed
extensive research, I missed including the Starscape Vineyard, formerly known as Floodgate Vineyard. I must
thank Evan Pontoriero, the co-proprietor and winemaker at Fogline Vineyards in Fulton, CA., for pointing out
the omission.
Try as I may, I was not able to obtain complete information on this vineyard including complete details of the
original plantings, ownership and management. Here is what I know.
The current-named Starscape Vineyard is located at the south end of the Middle Reach of the Russian River
Valley, adjacent to Mark West Creek, and along Trenton-Healdsburg Road in Forestville. It is near Kistler
Vineyard and Ritchie Vineyard. The vineyard was planted originally in 1971-1972 to Martini (? 13 or 16) clone
of Pinot Noir and named Mark West Vineyard. Apparently, Mark West had a production facility in Graton but
suffered through a series of ownership disruptions. The Mark West brand, production facility and wine inventory
were acquired in 2012 by Derek Benham and his brother Courtney Benham, former owners of the Blackstone
brand.
The Mark West Vineyard was acquired by Bill Hambrecht in 2006, named Floodgate Vineyard, and became an
estate vineyard for Alysian Wines and Floodgate Wine Company, brands started by Hambrecht and winemaker
Gary Farrell in 2007. Hambrecht had owned the Floodgate Vineyard along with grower Fred Peterson in
Anderson Valley. This 52-acre vineyard was sold to Goldeneye in 2003, became one of four estate vineyards
for that winery, and eventually renamed the Narrows. This freed up the name Floodgate.
Bill Hambrecht needed cash to pay $11 million in legal settlements in 2013, necessitating the sale of his
prized vineyard property. Originally listed for $17 million, it was sold in June 2013 for $10.2 million. This selling
price did not bring enough to pay off all of his debts. According to court documents, a disgruntled Hambrecht
Wine Group employee who had won a $56,263 employment judgment prior to the sale became the owner of the
property including a 150,000-case winery and the Floodgate Vineyard. However, the details of the legal battle
are unclear to me and records show the Floodgate Vineyard and winery were sold at a Sonoma County
sheriff’s auction for $100 on May 22, 2014. The legal trail for me ends here.
When the vineyard was renamed “Starscape” is unclear. The current lessee (since 2019) and vineyard
manager of the Starscape Vineyard is Chris Walden, who has worked with the vineyard at least since 2012. He
did not respond for further information.
The Starscape Vineyard currently consists of 74 acres, planted from 1971-1972 to 2009. Pinot Noir clones
include Martini, Swan, Pommard, and Dijon 667, 777 and faux 828. There is also Chardonnay and Sauvignon
Blanc planted.
The most prized block in the vineyard is Block 4, the original Martini clone Pinot Noir planting. Two wineries
source grapes from this block: Joseph Jewell (since 2014 and labeled “Old Girls”) and Fogline Vineyards
(labeled “Old Vine”). A number of other wineries have sourced Pinot Noir from Starscape Vineyard including
Talisman, Cartograph, C. Donatiello, Fulcrum, and Thomas George Estate, but their wines have been confined
to plantings of Pommard and Dijon clones.
www.foglinevineyards.com.
ߐ
2018 Fogline Vineyards Old Vine Starscape Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 48 cases,
$50.
·
Light garnet color in the glass. Intoxicating aromas
of cherry, pipe smoke, sandalwood and deep red rose
petal. A gorgeous and complex mid-weight offering, with
oodles of cherry goodness like cherry pie day at cooking
school - cherry, baking spices and interesting results.
Silky in texture, beautifully balanced, and very congenial
for a young wine. A true old vine treasure.
Score: 94
