1 bottle Ceritas Chardonnay 2014 - Peter Martin Ray Vineyard, Santa Cruz mountains

Nestled high in the hills at 1,800 feet, above the town of Saratoga, lays Peter Martin Ray vineyard, our highest site. One of two sites that we farm in the Santa Cruz mountains, this vineyard is steeped in history dating back to 1943, when stockbroker-turned-winemaker Martin Ray planted the original Chardonnay vines. It was a brave venture to plant in such meager Franciscan shale soils without any measurable topsoil.

When Martin Ray’s son, Peter Martin Ray, took over the farming of this site, he replanted to the Mt. Eden clone of Chardonnay in the early 1980s. A few gifted winemakers, namely our friends from Arnot Roberts, rediscovered these vineyards, and encouraged us to join in. What makes this fruit so remarkable is a direct result of the vines’ constant struggle: raw farmed with minimal manmade input; the vines are constantly seeking water, nutrients and sustenance from deep in the hillside. Characterized by small berries on tiny clusters, this fruit yields wine that is distinctive for its salty, mineral palate, persistent flavors and lingering finish.

1 bottle Ceritas Pinot Noir 2014 - Hacienda Secoya Vinyard, Anderson Valley

Pinot Noir

We are thrilled to make wine from this vineyard in the Deep End of Anderson Valley, as it provides an insightful contrast to our Pinots from other appellations. The Deep End of Anderson Valley is renowned as an optimal growing area for cool-climate Pinot Noir, due to cool ocean air penetrating throughout the valley. Named for the surrounding redwood forest, this southwest-facing vineyard sits on an elevated bench just above the valley floor, a stone’s throw from the town of Navarro. The vines were planted in 1995 to the Pommard clone in soils that are volcanic in origin and sandstone-based, with an attractive red hue revealing the greater than average iron content. A high proportion of clay enables reliable water retention, keeping the vines hydrated throughout the growing season.

Farmed organically since it was planted, Hacienda Secoya is a monopole for Ceritas. While we are good at sharing, we are delighted to be the exclusive recipients of this fruit, which yields wine that is red fruited, light and weightless, with very fine-grained tannins.

“WINEMAKING INVOLVES A GREAT MANY SMALL DECISIONS, EACH AFFECTING THE NEXT. ONE CAN ONLY HOPE TO GET THEM ALL RIGHT, TO CAPTURE WHAT WAS IN THE GRAPES TO BEGIN WITH.”

https://www.ceritaswines.com/