Pinot Noir "Cuvee Catherine, Running Fence Vineyard", Occidental, Sonoma Coast, CA, 2021

In 2008, Occidental purchased our 250-acre Bodega Ridge property, which lies on the same ridge as Bodega Headlands and clearly overlooks the Pacific. In 2012, Occidental began planting 65 additional acres of pinot noir on this property. Bodega Ridge comprises approximately thirty discrete vineyard blocks based primarily on the water-holding capacity of the soil. The rootstock we chose that best suits our soils and growing conditions was Riparia Gloire. Although seldom used in California, it was selected because it is the most devigorating rootstock available, has the shortest vegetative cycle, and promotes the earliest ripening of its fruit – a critical factor in farming vineyards in marginal coastal sites.

Occidental began developing Bodega Ridge over ten years ago, and it is very rewarding to watch this remarkable vineyard begin to reach its full potential. This wines from this site will provide interesting points of comparison with the wines produced from our neighboring Bodega Headlands Vineyard.