With the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 scientists from UC Davis sampled grapes from numerous sites throughout California to establish the ideal match between region and varietal. At the top of Bonny Doon Road, they discovered the perfect place for Pinot Noir and this ultimately lead us to plant McHenry Vineyard in the early 1970’s. Dean McHenry, the founding chancellor of UC Santa Cruz inspired the family and soon Linda McHenry became a UC Davis-trained viticulturist, Henry McHenry added enology to his training as an anthropologist, and the whole family became involved. The resulting vines produced some extraordinary Pinot Noir such as the 1984 vintage that won numerous awards including best Pinot Noir in the state and the California State Fair, and gold medals for the 1988 and 1989 vintages. In 1997 a second generation of our family, Lindsay, Annie and Ian McHenry, helped us replant. This was the last summer of Chancellor Dean McHenry’s life. This is a magical spot for Pinot Noir and we do everything we can to honor the magnificent fruit from our tiny vineyard. We pick into small boxes, usually 24-26 degrees Brix, near 1.0 acid and low pH. The primary fermentation takes place in 4 open containers. The wine is gently pressed in a classic basket press, and rests for almost two years in Francois Freres French oak barrels. We planted the second vineyard with four clones of Pinot Noir – Pommard, Swan, Dijon 115 and Pinot 13. The Swan and Dijon are on their own roots. The vines are not irrigated until after harvest. The warm days and cool nights of the mountain yield grapes of superb balance and quality; these grapes yield graceful, soft, earthy and luscious wines. We began our careers as vintners in the vineyard and it is the vineyard that retains our first loyalty. Great wines are born from the careful tending of vines in ideal soil and climate. Our wines are for those interested in rare, handcrafted, small lots of superb wine. We hope you enjoy our wines as we do – for the full delicious flavor characteristic of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
