Santa Cruz Mountains Mindego Ridge Pinot Noir

Beef, Veal, Game (deer, venison), Poultry

Perched on a shale-laced mountain, Mindego Ridge Vineyard is a 10-acre vineyard located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, 40 miles south of San Francisco and 9 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. It is known for producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and is part of a resurgence in the region that began with pioneers Paul Masson and Martin Ray in the early 20th century. The Santa Cruz Mountains AVA was officially recognized in 1981 and was one of the first AVAs to be defined by its mountain topography, including vineyards located at high elevations up to 2600 feet. The AVA’s location near the coast and its proximity to the ocean result in a maritime climate that influences the terroir and the wines produced in the region. The Mindego Ridge vineyard is located in a unique climate zone where the late season heat spikes in California are moderated by significant daily temperature changes between warm days and cool nights.

50% whole-cluster fermentation, with indigenous yeasts.

Jamie Kutch’s route to winemaking began late. He had graduated in finance and found himself increasingly bored with the rat race of New York trading floor. As he became more and more fixated on wine and the industry, he would chuck it all in and relocate to California, armed with savings, a steadfast determination and unbridled passion to produce Pinot Noir. His inaugural releases came as recently as 2005. After a rocky road, Kutch is today considered one of the leading exponents of Pinot Noir, ever refining and thrilling for wines of refinement, brightness and translucent expression of place.