Occidental Pinot Noir, Freestone-Occidental, Sonoma Coast, California 2023
Pickup available at DECANT Napa - 2999 Solano, Napa, CA
Usually ready in 1 hour
Occidental is the Pinot Noir–focused project from Steve Kistler, founded in 2011 after decades of acclaim with Kistler Vineyards. Devoted exclusively to coastal Pinot Noir from the Freestone-Occidental area, Occidental produces wines of precision, lift, and site expression from some of the coldest vineyards on the West Sonoma Coast.
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WINEMAKER: Steve Kistler
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FARMING: Practicing Sustainable
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VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir
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TERROIR: Fruit is drawn from estate vineyards Bodega Headlands, Running Fence, and Occidental Station—each planted atop marine sedimentary soils at elevations between 400–800 feet. These sites lie just six miles from the Pacific, where cool, fog-laden mornings and afternoon sun yield long ripening periods and high natural acidity.
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VINIFICATION: Fruit is hand-harvested and fermented with native yeasts. Gentle extraction techniques are used to preserve aromatic nuance and finesse.
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AGING: Aged in French oak barrels (approximately 25% new) for 14 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
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TASTING NOTES: The 2023 Freestone-Occidental Pinot Noir is vivid and deeply perfumed, with notes of red cherry, blood orange, rose petal, and crushed rock. The palate is silky and poised, offering fine-grained tannins, bright acidity, and a long, mineral-laced finish.
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FOOD PAIRINGS: Ideal with duck breast, mushroom risotto, roasted beets, or salmon with miso glaze.
Occidental is the Pinot Noir–focused project from Steve Kistler, founded in 2011 after decades of acclaim with Kistler Vineyards. Devoted exclusively to coastal Pinot Noir from the Freestone-Occidental area, Occidental produces wines of precision, lift, and site expression from some of the coldest vineyards on the West Sonoma Coast.
-
WINEMAKER: Steve Kistler
-
FARMING: Practicing Sustainable
-
VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir
-
TERROIR: Fruit is drawn from estate vineyards Bodega Headlands, Running Fence, and Occidental Station—each planted atop marine sedimentary soils at elevations between 400–800 feet. These sites lie just six miles from the Pacific, where cool, fog-laden mornings and afternoon sun yield long ripening periods and high natural acidity.
-
VINIFICATION: Fruit is hand-harvested and fermented with native yeasts. Gentle extraction techniques are used to preserve aromatic nuance and finesse.
-
AGING: Aged in French oak barrels (approximately 25% new) for 14 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
-
TASTING NOTES: The 2023 Freestone-Occidental Pinot Noir is vivid and deeply perfumed, with notes of red cherry, blood orange, rose petal, and crushed rock. The palate is silky and poised, offering fine-grained tannins, bright acidity, and a long, mineral-laced finish.
-
FOOD PAIRINGS: Ideal with duck breast, mushroom risotto, roasted beets, or salmon with miso glaze.