Sandar and Hem ‘Mindego Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, California 2021
Sandar & Hem, founded in 2018 by Robert and Recha Bergstrom, focuses on single-vineyard sites across the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA. Its Mindego Ridge Pinot Noir is made from the vineyard in the far northwest corner of the AVA, in partnership with its owners, Dave and Stacey Gollnick.
- WINEMAKER: Robert Bergstrom
- FARMING: Practicing Organic
- VARIETY: Pinot Noir (100%)
- TERROIR: Mindego Ridge Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, California. A steep, south-facing slope at about 675–935 feet, eight miles from the Pacific. Fractured Purisima shale beneath silty clay loam. Marine-influenced climate.
- VINIFICATION: Fermented in open tanks, with 20% whole cluster. Bottled unfiltered.
- AGING: Seventeen months in French oak barriques, 25% new.
- TASTING NOTES: Pale ruby with violet, black raspberry, blood orange and mace on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied and translucent, with red cherry, crisp red plum, currant and orange rind. Whole cluster adds savory character and a velvety texture. Sage and clove give it energy, with a touch of new oak on the finish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Duck, goose, roast turkey, game, salmon, and mushroom dishes.
Sandar and Hem ‘Mindego Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, California 2021
Sandar & Hem, founded in 2018 by Robert and Recha Bergstrom, focuses on single-vineyard sites across the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA. Its Mindego Ridge Pinot Noir is made from the vineyard in the far northwest corner of the AVA, in partnership with its owners, Dave and Stacey Gollnick.
- WINEMAKER: Robert Bergstrom
- FARMING: Practicing Organic
- VARIETY: Pinot Noir (100%)
- TERROIR: Mindego Ridge Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, California. A steep, south-facing slope at about 675–935 feet, eight miles from the Pacific. Fractured Purisima shale beneath silty clay loam. Marine-influenced climate.
- VINIFICATION: Fermented in open tanks, with 20% whole cluster. Bottled unfiltered.
- AGING: Seventeen months in French oak barriques, 25% new.
- TASTING NOTES: Pale ruby with violet, black raspberry, blood orange and mace on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied and translucent, with red cherry, crisp red plum, currant and orange rind. Whole cluster adds savory character and a velvety texture. Sage and clove give it energy, with a touch of new oak on the finish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Duck, goose, roast turkey, game, salmon, and mushroom dishes.