Alpine Vineyard
From its steep and rocky perch, Alpine Vineyard gazes at the Pacific Ocean 8 miles in the distance. The soils are shallow and rocky while the slopes as steep as 40%. The altitude and proximity to the ocean contribute to a very cool climate, but unlike most of California’s cool and foggy sites Alpine has little wind. This unique combination of climate and soil produces wines that do not taste like any other Pinot Noir or Chardonnay in the world.
In order to most completely explore this unique character, Alpine is divided into ½ acre blocks with tightly planted 6' by 4' rows. These blocks contain 16 different clones of Pinot Noir and 4 different clones of Chardonnay. Most of the clones are of low-yielding “Heritage” or “Suitcase” selections such as Calera, Swan, La Tache, Hyde and Wente. Each of these blocks is micro-vinified, which has allowed us to isolate three distinct Pinot Noirs. Rhys Alpine Hillside is produced from the steepest and lowest yielding section and features unusual complexity, power and concentration. The small east-facing Rhys Swan Terrace offers a more elegant expression of the vineyard while a rigorous selection of the remaining blocks is made for the larger Rhys Alpine bottling. Each of these Alpine Pinots offers the unusual combination of rich black fruit and crushed-rock complexity that makes this vineyard so special.
Alpine Vineyard is situated 3.6 miles west of Skyline Blvd. and 8 miles from the coast on Alpine Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyard was planted between 2001 and 2003 and consists of a total of 13 acres.
Elevation: 1200’ to 1490'
Soil: Topsoils range from 6" to 20" with a mélange of sedimentary shale and sandstone below
Geology: Purisima formation, 4 million years old (Pliocene epoch)
Clones: 16 Pinot Noir and 4 Chardonnay, primarily “Heritage” and “Suitcase” selections