A cool and rocky site in the Mayacama Mountains is home to the Clajeux Vineyard. We have hand worked the same 12 rows in this vineyard formerly called Wild Iris since 2003. Planted to clone 7 in well drained volcanic soils, this site is cooled by afternoon breezes sweeping in from the Russian River Valley below and the ocean to the West. As a result, the vineyard is characterized by long slow flavor development in the grapes and naturally low yields.

The meticulously groomed Bugay vineyard is chiseled into a volcanic ridge in Sonoma County’s Mayacama range. The cool breezes, rocky soil and naturally low yields lead to concentrated flavors and saturated color in the resulting wines. With a view of the entire Russian River Valley and farmed to perfection by the Bugay family this is truly one of California’s most beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards.

When the Fellom family purchased their ranch at 2200' elevation on the Montebello Ridge in 1929 it came with an established vineyard planted to Zinfandel. Between 1980-1983 they replanted and expanded this austere mountaintop site with Cabernet Sauvignon cuttings from the Charles Krug Winery in St Helena. The cane-pruned vines grow in soil that is a mosaic of Franciscan Chert, Sandy Loam, Clay and Serpentine, imparting structure and flavors unique to this historic winemaking region. The cool nights and airflow from the Pacific Ocean 16 miles away enable these 30 year old vines to produce balanced grapes with intense concentration and varietal purity.

2500’ elevation, Laytonville, Mendocino County is the home of Stu Bewley’s surreal Alder Springs Vineyard. The vines here grapple for survival on this precipitous decomposing sandstone mountainside. The cold nights and moderate days at this elevation extend the growing season and allow for long slow flavor development in the fruit. This island of vines, 12 miles from the Pacific, consistently produces Syrah of great intensity and balance. The 2007 vintage has amazing balance and vibrancy and is a great example of what this incredible vineyard can produce.

Syrah clone #99 thrives in the cool breeze and stony volcanic soil of Hudson Vineyards North Block in Napa Valley’s Carneros District. The power and elegance of the Syrah grapes grown by Lee Hudson is evidence in his transcendent viticultural practice and phenomenal dedication to quality. One of the oldest Syrah plantings in the Napa Valley, Hudson Vineyard has been the birthplace of some of the finest Syrah ever produced in California.

Joan and Jim Griffin farm their vineyard in the Lakeville region of the Petaluma Wind Gap with serious passion and a keen eye for quality. The extremely windy nature of this vineyard coupled with the diverse clonal selection planted here creates Syrah of great character. Gravelly loam, coastal wind and a view of the bay impart savory and exotic nuance from the tiny Syrah berries grown in this windswept site.

The Coast Range Mountains in Northern California take a sudden dip and nearly disappear around Bodega Bay in Sonoma County reemerging as the foot of Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County to the South. It is at this point that cool air over the Pacific Ocean is drawn inland via convective forces through what is referred to as the “Petaluma Wind Gap”. This cool and windy swath of the Sonoma Coast appellation is home to few vineyards. Clary Ranch is one of those vineyards planted on a hillside in the Middle Two Rock Valley. The austere nature of this place and its weather patterns puts it at the absolute edge of where one can hope to ripen Syrah grapes in California. Our first effort from this site is indicative of its upbringing and exhibits elevated natural acidity, low alcohol and soaring aromatics.

Near the point where the Napa River meets the San Pablo Bay lies the windswept Green Island Vineyard, farmed by the Nord Family. Windy and exposed to the elements, this site is one of the coolest places in the southern end of the Napa Valley appellation. Cool nights and moderate days during the growing season help retain natural acidity in the grapes and aromatic purity in the resulting wine.

PO Box 1137 Healdsburg, CA 95448 · mail@arnotroberts.com