In 2017, Steve Kistler stepped down as Director of Winemaking at Kistler Vineyards. Over the course of almost four decades, the iconic vintner built his reputation on making exceptional vineyard-designated Chardonnay from the cooler regions of Northern California such as Sonoma Mountain, Russian River Valley, Carneros, and the Sonoma Coast.

The single vineyard mentality was the foundation of Kistler’s vision to produce California Chardonnay in the style of the great white Burgundies of France. Four years later, that singular focus persists on the far Sonoma Coast in Freestone-Occidental where Steve and his daughter Catherine craft world-class Pinot Noir.

Since the early 1990s, Kistler has believed that the climate and soils on the uplifted marine terraces and ridges around the town of Bodega would be ideal for growing distinctive Burgundian-style Pinot Noir. His decision to double down on that belief came in 1999 with the initial purchase of the 100-acre Bodega Headlands property – a site that is now planted to 20 planted acres of Pinot Noir, propagated with a blend of field selections from two Grand Cru vineyards in Vosne Romanée.

In 2008, Steve went all in, purchasing the nearby 250-acre Bodega Ridge property which is now home to the family’s state-of-the-art winery and 65 acres of Massale selection Pinot Noir dubbed the Running Fence Vineyard.

Today, Occidental farms 85 acres of Pinot Noir, spread across 4 estate vineyards in the Freestone-Occidental area. The sites are worked with great skill and commitment by many of the same men and women who worked alongside Steve at Kistler Vineyards.

The wines, which are made in miniscule amounts, are vinified with only free-run juice (the best of each lot), as Steve and Catherine believe that quality is, and always will be, far more important than quantity.

That all being said, it is an absolute honor for me to bring to you exclusive access to Occidental’s 2021 Spring Release program.

Today’s offer includes the 2019 Freestone-Occidental Pinot Noir and 2018 Bodega Headlands Cuvée Elizabeth Pinot Noir (6-bottle limit per member).

Please keep in mind, this is an offer that is only received by Winery Mailing List members and the small parcel we were able to gain access to is coming winery direct.

As always, please feel free to let me know if you have any questions regarding today’s offer. Thank you for your support!

Cheers!

Carey Vanderborg

Wine Director

Occidental Freestone-Occidental 2019 | $65

Occidental Bodega Headlands Cuvee Elizabeth 2018 | $115
(6-bottle limit per member)

Click here for more information regarding the wines.