By Fog and Wind
2023 Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap

The Vineyards
This wine is a blend of several unique Pinot Noir lots produced from four prominent vineyards located within the Petaluma Gap AVA. Gap's Crown and Sangiacomo Vineyards have been the flagships for Sojourn Pinot Noir since 2004. Both vineyards have rocky, well-draining soils and have become icons of the Petaluma Gap. Younger blocks from Nightwing and Ueberroth Vineyards contribute additional layers and texture. Cool temperatures, foggy mornings, and windy afternoons define the region and make it ideal for growing exceptional Pinot Noir grapes. This wine combines the intensity and structure of rocky hillside vineyards with the elegance and creamy tannins of vineyards grown in sandy loam soils just below.

Winemaker Notes
In 2023, plentiful winter rains took Sonoma out of a drought. A cool summer allowed the vines to ripen evenly, and the weather stayed moderate during the growing season, with periodic light rains. Harvesting started three weeks later than normal, and Pinot Noir yields were above average. The cooler weather resulted in fresh natural acidity and firmer tannins, both good for cellaring. Grape phenolics ripened at lower sugar levels, and the resulting 2023 Pinot Noirs are more "Burgundian" in nature. Blending the 2023 Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir was a delight. Gap's Crown and Sangiacomo Vineyards formed a base of deep fruit flavors and structure. Nightwing added intensity and silky tannins while the cooler Ueberroth Vineyard brought another layer of fresh acidity and earthy notes to the blend.

Fermentation and Bottling Details
Grapes: 100% destemmed Pinot Noir
Winemaking: Open-top fermentation, native yeast
Aging: 50% new French oak
Bottling: Bottled unfined and unfiltered, June 2024
Release Date: Spring 2025

Finished Wine Details
pH: 3.68
TA: 5.5 g/L
AVA: Petaluma Gap
[Information provided by Matador Vino]

Wine: FOG AND WIND Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap 2023
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2033
Review Date: 10/2025
Reviewed By: Jeremy Young
Tasting Notes: The 2023 Fog and Wind Pinot Noir from the Petaluma Gap unfolds with captivating aromas of wild cherries, red currant, and blood orange zest mingling with hints of dried thyme, toasted oak, and subtle truffle. On the palate, supple layers of red plum and pomegranate weave through notes of savory spice and a faint coastal salinity, giving the wine both lift and dimension. The texture is silken yet vibrant, carried by finely grained tannins that glide across the tongue with precision.