From Hillside to Harvest: The Story of Our Vineyard
What started as a vision on a sunlit hillside in 2021 has steadily evolved into a working estate defined by precision, patience, and a deep appreciation for the land. Creating the vineyard was never just about planting vines—it was about building an environment where craftsmanship in viticulture meets a unique sense of place.
Laying the Foundation (2021–2022)
The design phase began in early 2021, focusing on mapping the topography, sun exposure, and airflow across the slope. Site preparation kicked off in late 2021, moving earth, clearing ground, and installing trellis infrastructure to set up the blocks for long-term health.
In early 2022, we planted our initial blocks using robust Magnum vines from Duarte Nursery, selecting two complementary Pinot Noir clones:
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Clone 115: Chosen for its structural elegance, floral aromatics, and focused fruit profile.
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Pommard 04: Selected to provide depth, earthy complexity, and rich mid-palate weight.
By late 2022, another defining landmark of the property took shape with the arrival and installation of our ExploraDome Observatory, anchoring the estate’s identity where hillside viticulture meets the night sky.
Expansion and First Vintage (2024)
After two full growing seasons of canopy management, root establishment, and vine training, 2024 marked two major milestones for the estate:
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Expanding Up the Hill: In early 2024, we extended the vineyard further up the slope, adding a dedicated block of Clone 777 Magnum vines from Duarte Nursery. This addition brings concentrated dark fruit notes, refined tannins, and enhanced blending versatility to our future vintages.
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The Maiden Harvest: Autumn 2024 brought our very first harvest from the original 2022 plantings, celebrating our transition from an ambitious build to an active winegrowing estate.
The Vineyard at a Glance
| Milestone | Date | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Site Design & Prep | 2021 | Slope analysis, ground clearing, layout engineering |
| Initial Planting | Early 2022 | Duarte Magnum vines: Pinot Noir Clones 115 & Pommard 04 |
| Observatory Build | Late 2022 | ExploraDome Observatory installed on the estate |
| Hillside Expansion | Early 2024 | Expanded upper blocks with Duarte Clone 777 Magnum vines |
| Inaugural Harvest | Autumn 2024 | First estate vintage harvested from the 2022 vine blocks |
Today, the vineyard reflects a seamless blend of careful clonal selection, hillside terroir, and thoughtful design—crafted to produce distinct, estate-grown wines for years to come.
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