Native9, Pinot Noir, Rancho Ontiveros Vineyards, Santa Maria Valley, California, 2013

About The Producer
“Native9 is the fulfillment of my own American story two centuries in the making. Tracing my roots back to the first men and women who settled in the Santa Maria Valley, I worked for hourly wages along with my parents to buy a small plot of land our ancestors’ 8,900-acre Mexican land grant: a modest cattle ranch where I planted my 8-acre vineyard and a panoramic view of the land that had once been our own. Planted in 1997 by my own two hands with the help of friends and family while I attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard is now considered one of the finest sites for Pinot Noir in California. As a natural extension of my deeply personal vision for this vineyard, Native9 is made in small lots with a nod to both Old World sensibilities and New World stylistic freedom with the help of my longtime friend and vetted winemaker, Paul Wilkins.
Though I wasn’t born into the wine industry by traditional means, I have vine-growing and farming in my blood. The name Native 9 reflects my gratitude to the generations of California farmers and ranchers who came before me."

James Ontiveros, Viticulturalist & Owner, Native9

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Grape / Blend
Pinot Noir

Origin
Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California,

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The 2013 Pinot Noir is the third in a string of California vintages that paired high quality with strong yields. A bit riper than the 2012, the 2013 had a harvest brix ranging from 23.9-24.4. As usual, it’s 100% whole cluster fermented from all 8 clones from Rancho Ontiveros. Due to the riper nature of this wine, we extended the barrel age to almost three years. With more of a high gloss than a matte finish, and leaning towards darker fruit rather than red fruit, the 2013 Pinot Noir has freshness and acidity paired with the plush mouthfeel usually associated with bigger, higher alcohol wines.

“Although more than a decade had passed since my first vintage of Native9, 2013 was the vintage of firsts. It marked my first year of being self-employed, but more importantly, it marked the year Zane Rey and Lauren Grace Ontiveros were born. Kristen and I welcomed them into our lives and world, carefully timed just after harvest on November 13th, 2013. This vintage represents my first year as a father who can now share his passion for the land with his own children, as I believe the impact of an amazing piece of land is brought about by the human element—the people and their efforts. I invite you to enjoy the greatest year of my career, and celebrate vintage 2013.”
—James Rey Ontiveros (Generation 9)

93 Points - P.J.C.
This wine’s maturity reflects the warmth of the drought vintage of 2013 in the south Central Coast. It smells of molasses, caramel and tobacco leaf, its dark dried-cherry flavors framed by a soy-like savor. Drink now for a glimpse of California’s recent past. 

Technical Details
PRIMARY FERMENTATION: 30% New French Oak
CELLAR AGING: 33 Months

Product size: 750ml