Neely "Picnic Block" Estate Pinot Noir 2019
(Santa Cruz Mountains, California) - [WE 92]

About the Winery:

At the northern edge of the oak- and redwood-covered Santa Cruz Mountains, Spring Ridge Vineyard stretches from the floor of Portola Valley up the slopes toward Windy Hill. In 1980, the Melchor family entrusted the Varner brothers with planting Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer on the vineyard's lower terraces. Those original vines, planted block by block beneath the historic homestead, continue to produce fruit more than four decades later from the three celebrated Chardonnay blocks—Home, Amphitheater, and Bee.

In 1995, stewardship of the vineyard passed to the Neely family, who renewed its commitment to exceptional viticulture and winemaking. By the early 2000s, the addition of the Hidden, Upper Picnic, and Picnic Pinot Noir blocks completed the vineyard's evolution, establishing Spring Ridge as one of the defining estate vineyards of the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation.

About Picnic Block 

Picnic block is one of three legacy Pinot Noir blocks Block at is Spring Ridge Vineyard. Picnic 1.4 acres, spanning elevation between 645 to 600 feet above sea level. The Gewürtztraminer vines that had originally been planted at this site were pulled out in 2000 and replanted with Pinot Noir vines. The vines are Dijon 777 clone on 5c rootstock. Picnic block consists of a soil blend of 31% sand, 36% silt, and 33% clay.

 About Spring Ridge Vineyard

Spring Ridge Vineyard sits on an east-facing ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The ridge ascends from 500 to 1700 feet above sea level. The maritime climate of the San Francisco Bay offers cool, crisp mornings and warm, sunny afternoons creating perfect conditions for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The soil at Spring Ridge Vineyard consists of sedimentary rock, 1 to 3 million years old, at a shallow and mid level depth, perfect for the expression of our grapes. We strive to protect and nurture the entire ecological community of Spring Ridge Vineyard, and are dedicated to stewarding and replenishing  the land we inhabit.

About The Wine

Pale garnet in the glass. Underripe strawberry and pomegranate are juxtaposed against bright acidity and light body. Indicative of the vintage, the wine is light and bright. Begging for food, this wine can be paired with classic cheeses like aged Gouda or be a great foil for any light pasta with tomato and Basil.

Ratings & Reviews

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
”A delicate shade in the glass, this is a bright style of Pinot Noir, offering red-currant, eucalyptus-leaf and mesquite-smoked-game aromas. Brisk and underripe cherry flavors meet with blood orange and lemon rind on the zesty palate.” M.K. (July 2022)