2018 Wayfarer Pinot Noir
The Estate

Explosive aromatics of violets, lavender, raspberry and blackberry abound as the 2018 Wayfarer Vineyard Pinot Noir opens in the glass. An elegant dance of juicy acidity and rich tannin play on the fresh palate, with notes of forest floor and dark chocolate on the finish. This is a vintage that will oblige early consumption, but given time in the cellar, patience will be handsomely rewarded.

We hand-picked each block and delivered firm, cool clusters to the winery before sunrise. We then hand-sorted and destemmed the fruit before transferring to tank, where five to seven days of cold maceration preceded more than two weeks of 100% native yeast fermentation. The free run wine was transferred to 58% new French oak for 15 months of aging.

2018 was marked by a long and temperate growing season that allowed for a calm harvest. The Pinot Noir vines began to emerge on March 31st in block 5. Overall rainfall was 35% below our average, however a large portion of this rain came in April. With this spring rain filling the soil profile, the vines were able to thrive in the early growing season and continued to revel in moderate weather through May. Bloom occurred during the first days of June, and an idyllic summer allowed for a long ripening period. During harvest, we took advantage of perfect conditions and remained patient, picking precisely when the fruit was ready. Pinot Noir harvest began in bock 20 on September 14th and concluded with block 30 on October 13th.