If the Kistler Winery could be magically transported to the middle of Burgundy’s Côte-d’Or, it would
quickly gain a reputation as glorious as any producer of Burgundy Grand Crus.
— Robert Parker, the Wine Advocate

Kistler Vineyards is a small, family established and privately owned and operated winery dedicated to the vinification of world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They have consistently bottled some of the finest new world examples of these two varietals for over 30 years.

All of their vineyard designate Chardonnays are marked first and foremost by regional characteristics.  Beyond that lies the personality of each of the vineyards from which they hail. All of the sites are planted to the same clone, a California heritage selection that they have been using for close to thirty years. Each wine is produced in the same fashion, with the focus being on the traditional techniques that elicit the earth driven, complex noble sulfides and resulting minerality inherent in the fruit from each site. Each of their Pinot Noirs are also crafted from the same clonal material; two small clustered low yielding clones that were imported from a Grand Crus vineyard in Burgundy which they began propagating over 20 years ago.

The goal in crafting their Pinot Noirs is to capture the elusive Pinot character expressed in each of their exceptional coastal sites. They strive to produce elegant, harmonious wines which are impressive for their purity, balance, and lingering perfume. From these sites there is a progression of color and length of character as they move towards the coast.

THE WINES

2012 Chardonnay, Trenton Road House
In production since 1994, a vineyard designate since 2009. The Trenton Road House Chardonnay is the newest addition to their vineyard designate bottlings. The vineyards straddle a south facing hilltop and are comprised of Goldridge soils, like their Vine Hill and Dutton vineyards, but this vineyard has the finest grained sand of any of those sites. From this vineyard, Kistler produces a soil influenced wine of resounding minerality and complex earthy sulfides which stand above the green toned orchard fruit notes.

2013 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
The 2013 Russian River Pinot Noir is made from a selection of lots from the earliest ripening portions of their vineyards which are situated along the lean ridges overlooking the Russian River Valley. Three specific blocks, from two plantings on Goldridge soils known to produce elegant fruit were used in this bottling. The fruit was selected for harvest based on its ability to display its vibrant nature and inherent balance. The 2013 Russian River Valley is comprised solely of the heritage clones of Pinot Noir that drive the best of Kistler’s efforts and offers genuine characteristics of the appellation.

2013 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
Sourced from coastal plantings of Kistler’s Heritage Clone, the wine shows complex aromas of cassis, minerals, and earth. Silky in texture, perfectly balanced by lively acids, with good intensity and depth of flavor.  The wine finishes with vibrant flavors of dark berries, black cherries, and violets.

THE OFFER

The last two vintages for Kistler have been outstanding, but yields have been very low. The winery has generously made as much wine as possible available for Mayacama Members. For our September offer, we only have magnums of the Trenton Road House Chardonnay available and both of the 2013 vintage Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs.

2012 Chardonnay, Trenton Road House, Magnums Only $180

2013 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley $60

2013 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast $75

ORDERING

For all questions and orders, contact Jeff McCarthy at 707 569 2906 or [email protected]. Let us know if you would like your wine shipped or placed in your wine locker. Sales tax and appropriate shipping will be added to all orders. Allow 2-3 weeks for account processing and shipping. During extreme weather, wine orders may be held until it is safe to ship.