As a Sommelier and Wine Director living in Wine Country, one of the many benefits I enjoy is being able to connect with the winemakers and create an ongoing dialogue on the topic of winemaking and viticulture. It’s a benefit that very few industry professionals enjoy, and I try to take advantage of it as much as possible.

Back in August, I was invited to spend the day touring vineyards in Anderson Valley with Maggy Hawk winemaker Sarah Wuethrich.

In my opinion, the Maggy Hawk wines are some of the best examples of achievable quality for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley.

Three separate vineyards comprise the makeup of Maggy Hawk – Skyhawk, Edmeades, and Maggy Hawk Vineyard – all of which are located in the northern half of Anderson Valley; an area locals call, “The Deep End.”

A key climatic influence in The Deep End is the thick fog that rolls in from the nearby Mendocino coastline; a feature that is instrumental in producing one of California's coolest climates. Higher daytime temperatures, combined with those long and cool evening temperatures create the perfect environment for production of balanced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Sarah and her team produce four distinctive Pinot Noirs from their Maggy Hawk Estate Vineyard, tucked away in the The Deep End of Anderson Valley. The cool climate site was planted in 2000 and sits just 16 miles from the Pacific Ocean.

Having tasted all four wines with Sarah back in August at their new tasting facility in Anderson Valley, I was absolutely blown away at the distinct character of each bottling.

The diversity of each wine can be explained by Sarah’s ability to identify unique attributes of various blocks within the vineyard. Combined with a distinguishing clonal selection, each block is utilized for a different bottling creating its own profile of wine.

Today’s Mayacama wine offer provides members with access to three of the four Maggy Hawk Pinot Noir bottlings, as well as the 2018 Maggy Hawk Skycrest Chardonnay from the Skycrest Vineyard.

Pinot Noir, Maggy Hawk, “Afflet,” Anderson Valley 2018

Wonderful breadth, depth, and personality in spades. High-toned red fruit, black fruit, violets and blood orange aromas are grounded in savory bass notes and a solid backbone.

Pinot Noir, Maggy Hawk, “Unforgettable,” Anderson Valley 2018

Freshness, power and persistence; hits the sweet spot between elegance and power that delivers explosive dark berry notes that move into juicy pomegranate flavors with cocoa.

Pinot Noir, Maggy Hawk, “Stormin',” Anderson Valley 2018

Big, rich, and assertive. This combination of blocks and clones delivers a wine that is dark and brooding with surprising complexity.

Chardonnay, Maggy Hawk, Skycrest Vineyard, Anderson Valley 2018

A mountain sunbeam wrapped in satin. This bright Chardonnay shows focused citrus and tropical fruit flavors, lots of minerality and a clean, sleek texture.

In August 2021 we released an offer for the 2018 vintage bottling of Maggy Hawk, Pinot Noir, “Jolie,” Anderson Valley. That offer sold out within the first day, and so I am happy to be presenting an opportunity for you all to access the same amazing vintage of the remaining three Maggy Hawk Pinot Noir bottlings.

As always, feel free to let me know if you have any questions regarding the wines.

Thank you for your continued support.

Cheers!

Carey Vanderborg, Wine Director

Pinot Noir, Maggy Hawk, “Afflet,” Anderson Valley 2018 - $70/btl

Pinot Noir, Maggy Hawk, “Unforgettable,” Anderson Valley 2018 - $70/btl

Pinot Noir, Maggy Hawk, “Stormin',” Anderson Valley 2018 - $70/btl

Chardonnay, Maggy Hawk, Skycrest Vineyard, Anderson Valley 2018 - $60/btl

*Minimum 3 Bottle Orders

Click here for more information about the wines.