- Certified Sustainable
- 100% Pinot Noir
- SWK Vineyard block is the highest, steepest section of the Bodega Headlands Vineyard
- Planted in 1999 by Steve Kistler
- West/Southwest Orientation
- Goldridge, sandy loam soils over marine sediment and fossils
- Hand-harvested at night
- Hand-sorted as clusters before completely destemming
- Each vineyard block is fermented separately in 2-4 ton fermenters
- Not cold-soaked prior to fermentation
- Native yeast fermentation
- Punch downs are used only as needed to distribute the heat of fermentation, ensuring a gentle extraction
- After fermentation is complete, the tanks are drained and only the free-run wine is transferred by gravity to Francois Freres barrels (25% new) to age 11 months
- Native malolactic fermentations
- Bottled unfined and unfiltered with a minimum level of SO2 (~50 ppm)
- 13.3% abv
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2022
Country:
United States
Region:
California
Appellation:
West Sonoma Coast
Variety:
Pinot Noir
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Sustainable
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | US-OCC-42-22 | 12/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
Decanter
Score
97
Date
2024-04-22
"Tasted from bottle #S1933, the SWK, or Stephen William Kistler, is planted at 250m and offers floral richness. This is a medium-weight, classical Pinot Noir. Wildly elegant with pungent notes of singed florals, the fruit is noted by rounded edges of wild huckleberry and mint. The palate is beautifully bound together with red and blue berries, streaks of white pepper, and evergreen tips. The finish lingers long, with ample sea salt minerality and white pepper driving it forward."
Vinous
Score
98
Date
2025-01-30
"The 2022 Pinot Noir SWK Vineyard is pretty dense in this vintage, its 12.6% alcohol notwithstanding. A wine of understated depth and power, the 2022 sizzles with tension. Chalk, slate, mint and white pepper all race across the palate in this tightly wound young Pinot. Readers will have to give this a few years in bottle. There is an element of translucence here that is so beguiling."
Wine Advocate
Score
96+
Date
2025-01-16
"The 2022 Pinot Noir SWK Vineyard is jam-packed with sweet red fruit aromas: raspberry, pomegranate and rhubarb are complemented by nuances of blood orange, nori and flint. The light-bodied palate balances concentrated, crunchy flavors and soaring floral perfume with lacy tannins and mouthwatering acidity, and it has a long, dynamic finish. It opened dramatically over several days and will benefit from several years in the cellar."
Wine Spectator
Score
96
Date
2024-02-28
"This throws up a beguiling plume of white pepper, sandalwood and potpourri notes, which is then caught from behind by a vibrant, crunchy and acidity-fueled core of griotte, blood orange and damson plum fruit flavors. Singed anise and applewood score the finish as the energetic fruit easily keeps pace. Offers plenty of tension to carry this through cellaring as it unfurls fully. Best from 2025 through 2035. From California.—J.M."