Paradoxical in place, where only the brazen would plant Pinot Noir, perched on an extreme mountaintop in Mendocino’s ‘Islands of the Sky’ appellation at 2,200 feet above sea level planted in sandstone soils on the first ridgeline overlooking the blustery Pacific Ocean. Manchester Ridge has the longest hang time of all our sites, often harvested in late October, early November, creating complexity of phenolics and intense flavors. Growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in this environment is somewhat audacious, but it never disappoints.
Manchester Ridge
Mendocino Ridge
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Appellation
Mendocino Ridge
Grower
Martin Mochizuki
Vineyard
30 Acres
Soil
Ornbaum, Weathered Bedrock
Clones
Dijon 777 and 115 Clones
Planted
2002
2021 AUTEUR MANCHESTER RIDGE PINOT NOIR
Stunning exotic perfume of lilac and pronounced flavors of boysenberry and fig, with a resinous backbone anchored by fresh-cut pine, lavender oil, and black raspberry. Soft, suede-like tannins accelerate, culminating in a texturally rich, harmonious dimension.
2021 AUTEUR MANCHESTER RIDGE CHARDONNAY
Full of youthful elements of star jasmine, mangosteen, fantasia nectarine, lemon verbena, and touches of exotic spice collide with flinty minerality, tension, and nerve forming a vibrant lingering finish.
97 Points by Lisa Perrotti-Brown / Wine Independent