Horseshoe Ranch
Planted in 2004 with a total of 17.5 acres, Horseshoe Ranch is our most beautiful vineyard site. It is less than 1/2 mile from Alpine vineyard, but they are different in many ways. The ridge between the vineyards protects Horseshoe from some of the direct ocean influence but allows for similarly cool temperatures. More importantly, Horseshoe lies on a bed of sedimentary shale called The Monterey Formation that geologically differentiates it from the soils at Alpine by nearly 10 Million years. This Monterey shale is prevalent throughout the surface and soil providing for low vigor and outstanding drainage.
Horseshoe Ranch is planted to 13 different clones of Pinot Noir on 10 acres, 4 clones of Syrah on 5 acres, and 2 clones of Chardonnay on 2.2 acres. Yielding its first few barrels, this site was our last estate vineyard to ripen in 2007. So far Horseshoe Ranch seems to favor more of a restrained and linear red fruit profile that appears quite different than the rich black fruit of nearby Alpine Vineyard.
Elevation: 1360' to 1610'
Soil: Top soils range from 6" to 20" with a base of sedimentary rock and volcanic ash
Geology: Monterey formation is 11-15 million years old (Miocene)
Clones: 13 Pinot Noir clones, 4 Syrah clones; 2 Chardonnay clones