Holocene, Sidereal Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2022

Overview of the Brand
By now, everyone knows that the Willamette Valley is an amazing place to grow Pinot Noir. When I relocated from Napa Valley to partner up with Force Majeure Vineyards, I knew I also wanted to start a project where I could focus attention on a varietal and growing region that I loved. Part of the excitement of being in the Pacific Northwest is the ability to have access to so many amazing vineyards and so much diversity, along with the opportunity to push boundaries and try new things – something that is becoming increasingly difficult in other growing regions. 

We partner up with a few very small, diverse and amazing vineyards in the Willamette Valley, sourcing fruit from these dry-farmed sites that emphasize low yields, sustainable practices and produce outstanding fruit.

The wines are crafted in the same way I have been making wine since I was carrying it out at Bryant Family Vineyard in the Napa Valley — utilizing very low-impact, non-industrial techniques, native yeasts, little extraction and little new oak, and never filtering or fining. This allows a real sense of place to show through in the wines that is often dimmed when too much manipulation is undertaken.

Our first vintage was 2015, and was released in early 2017. As production is currently extremely small, the best way to get the wines into your hands is to join our mailing list at the “Mailing List” link above to receive an allocation when we have a release. We release wines once per year, and they will be sold on a first come, first served basis, shipped straight to your door.

Sustainable.

Grape / Blend
100% Pinot Noir

Origin
Monk's Gate Vineyard Ribbon Ridge, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The inaugural release of SIDEREAL – a wine with gorgeous transparency, minerality, lift, energy and freshness. This wine is all about finesse and elegance. It comes from a small, single vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA, is comprised of 100% Pommard clone and was vinified with 100% whole clusters, hand-sorted.  Élevage took place in mostly neutral French Oak barriques for 14 months. Unfined and unfiltered. It is drinkable right out of the gate. 

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast
This pale-hued Pinot Noir is 100% Pommard clone, 100% whole-cluster fermented and 100% the stuff dreams are made of, if you are an acid freak like me. Tart red-raspberry, orange-zest and saline aromas prep the psyche for face-crunching acidity and flavors like cranberries, lemon zest and rose hips. Let the Sidereal cut like a laser alongside your next Bluefin tuna sushi.

Score Pending - Ian Blackburn
Just tasted at STARS of PINOT in July - I will review this properly in the coming weeks but this is not my first wine from this exciting producer in Oregon -- but it is the best wine I have tasted from them...and believe this wine is north of 97 points.... but we will see when I sit down with my fellow reviewers.

Product size: 750ml