Lynmar Estate - Quail Hill Vineyard

Block 8

Chardonnay

Another of our heritage blocks, the mature root system is well established. The west facing slope has proven to be conducive to flavorful Chardonnay. The fruitfulness must often be managed and held back in order to retain the fully ripe flavors we desire. Typically this means no more than one cluster per shoot.

Acres: 2.29
Vines: 1,039
Clone: Rued
Rootstock: St. George
Planted: 1974

Block 1

Pinot Noir

One of the highest points at Quail Hill Vineyard, Block 1 gets early morning sun and good air movement. The eastern slope and aspect protects the vines from the westerly winds but allows for good air circulation.

Acres: 2.97
Vines: 4,627
Clone: Swan, Calera
Rootstock: 3309
Planted: 2004

Block 2

Pinot Noir

With large root systems established over almost 40 years, Block 2 with a southeast slope aspect is less reliant on supplemental irrigation. These old vines on St. George rootstock consistently produce exquisitely balanced wine. This block is the source of the Old Vine cuvée.

Acres: 1.94
Vines: 880
Clone: Swan
Rootstock: St. George
Planted: 1974

Block 3

Pinot Noir

Block 3 is on a southeast slope. It receives good early morning light. Soil changes in the middle of the slope mean that the irrigation has to be separated to supplement the dryer soils at the top. This allows for greater balance in canopy management.

Acres: 2.97
Vines: 4,283
Clone: 2A, Pommard 04, Beba, 777
Rootstock: 3309
Planted: 2004-5

The Summit

Pinot Noir

The Summit block is on a north facing slope with deep red soils that have evolved over millions of years. These nutrient poor soils which create a struggle for the vines are perfectly matched with the Calera clone and are the source of the deep and rich cuvée appropriately named Summit.

Acres: 1.74
Vines: 3,158
Clone: Calera
Rootstock: 3309
Planted: 2004

Block 5

Pinot Noir

Block 5, at the base of the summit, has deeper, richer soils that have been planted with vigor restricting 420A rootstock to maintain even growth and ripening.

Acres: 1.21
Vines: 2,196
Clone: 828
Rootstock: 420A
Planted: 2005

Block 6

Pinot Noir

Block 6 is one of our most extreme east facing slopes. These soils are shallow and rocky and had to be planted using a pickax to open the holes. The struggles of the vines produce small clusters with intense flavors.

Acres: 1.72
Vines: 1,560
Clone: Pommard, 115, 114
Rootstock: 101, RG, 3309
Planted: 1996

Block 7

Pinot Noir

This hillside has been terraced and planted with Mt. Eden clones. The young vines have been slow to adapt to the nutrient poor soil, but the struggle will certainly be worth the wait.

Acres: 1.40
Vines: 2,541
Clone: Mt. Eden
Rootstock: 3309
Planted: 2005

Block 9

Pinot Noir

Block 9 tends to be the last pruned among the Pinot Noir blocks. It tends to have early bud-break and flowering is often at risk for spring rain events which can impair the ability to set fruit.

Acres: 4.28
Vines: 7,565
Clone: QHV, ASW1, ASW2, ASW3, Pom4, 2A
Rootstock: 3309, 101-14
Planted: 2005

Block 10

Pinot Noir

This is the most easterly facing slope due to a combination of hillside aspect and proximity to the eastern side of this vineyard, which overlooks the Laguna de Santa Rosa. This block provides a highly prized vista and an exquisitely balanced cuvée, Block 10.

Acres: 4.30
Vines: 6,326
Clone: 667, 777, Swan
Rootstock: 101-14
Planted: 1996

Block 11

Chardonnay

The Old Wente clone of Chardonnay, planted in 2006 is now entering its fully productive state. Slightly richer soils provide a strongly desired balance for a tightly spaced vineyard with more than 1,800 vines per acre.

Acres: 3.86
Vines: 6,861
Clone: Old Wente
Rootstock: 3309
Planted: 2006

Block 12

Pinot Noir

This southeast facing block annually produces very healthy canopy growth with very little irrigation dependence. The growth is beautifully balanced and stops on all the right cues, making it a very pleasant block to farm.

Acres: 2.09
Vines: 1,897
Clone: Swan
Rootstock: 101-14
Planted: 1997

Block 13

Chardonnay

Sparse rocky soils create a challenge for this young Old Wente Chardonnay block. Loose clusters with just a few small grapes make this an exciting block to watch.

Acres: 1.31
Vines: 1,783
Clone: Old Wente
Rootstock: 3309
Planted: 2006

Block 14

Chardonnay

Sloping gently to the northwest, this block of 40-year-old Chardonnay vines is nearly non-reliant on supplemental irrigation. These vines are trained in a split canopy with four cordons per vine and two separate rows of fruit per vine.

Acres: 5.69
Vines: 2,582
Clone: Rued
Rootstock: St. George
Planted: 1974

Bliss

Pinot Noir

A field mix of Dijon selections, this block produces stunning wines year after year. With a slight elevation drop from top to bottom, we typically harvest this block in two lots.

Acres: 3.27
Vines: 4,476
Clone: Mix
Rootstock: Mix
Planted: 2000

Block 16

Syrah

Next to the Laguna, this is one of our last harvests of the year. As Syrah is prone to do, it usually sets more fruit than it should and the fruit is aggressively thinned to retain only the most select clusters with careful consideration to the cool climate in which it has to ripen.

Acres: 0.84
Vines: 915
Planted: 2000

Laguna

Pinot Noir

This organic vineyard is a field mix of Dijon selections that is harvested in two distinct zones. The lower, cooler section of this vineyard is often a large contributor to our Rosé program. The upper section, next to the tasting room, is regularly a stand out of its own rights and merits.

Acres: 2.38
Vines: 2,160
Clone: Dijon
Rootstock: RG
Planted: 1996