Introducing Nightwing Vineyard
Kerith at the gate of Nightwing Vineyard
“Silky.”
“Expressive.”
“Loads of black cherry.”
“Gentle tannic grip.”
“Earthy” with “dried tobacco and cocoa.”
sound enticing?
Wow. This reads like my style, like something I’d make, like the kind of pinot noir I’d gladly uncork any night of the week. Except I didn’t. Full disclosure: I lifted these adjectives from the tasting notes of the 2021 MacRostie Nightwing Pinot Noir grown in the vaunted Petaluma Gap. Obviously, I wanted in! I’d heard MacRostie was developing a new vineyard in the Petaluma Gap, and I itched to stretch myself professionally. Intrigued, I reached out. I got lucky, and MacRostie shared a wee amount of fruit with me.
ready for a new challenge
There are many reasons I chose Nightwing. I was drawn to the stunning vistas, punishing wind, and promise of a new challenge. As much as I adore my current pinot vineyards, who doesn’t long to play in newer, different, and dynamic playgrounds? Nightwing offers all of this and more. It’s also the brainchild of MacRostie winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen (and I like working with girls better).
Small clusters showcase incredible depth and intensity
Nestled along the eastern edge of the Petaluma Gap, perched at 1200 feet elevation, this magical vineyard site is planted in the most time consuming (read: “expensive”), labor intensive, and intentional way possible, in individual mosaic blocks. Imagine a quilt, scattered across 74 acres. Each block is planted to either pinot noir or chardonnay, vineyard rows oriented to maximize exposure, capture sunlight, and embrace the wind. Different blocks are planted to different clones, each quilt square matching clone to rootstock to soil. Some blocks careen down steep angles, like mine. Others gently slope along the base of the property. Heidi personally selected the clones for each individual block, bringing her winemaking expertise to the viticulture team. This mosaic-style development highlights the property’s myriad variations in soil, elevation, and microclimate with surgical precision. Nothing about this site is accidental.
Springtime at Nightwing Vineyard. Shoots kissing the lower trellis wire
what’s in a name?
The name Nightwing evokes the nocturnal creatures, both avian and insect, that bring buzzing biodiversity to the vineyard at sunset. The name is also a nod to property owner Vernon Morelli, a retired WWII pilot who built a landing strip there, a quirky fact that predates vineyard development. (Plus all of the names using “Wind” & “Gap” were taken!).
Bruliam block at Nightwing. The site is planted like a mosaic, comprised of multiple, individual blocks.
Prepare to be Wow-ed (but not just yet)
I am excited to share my inaugural Nightwing Vineyard pinot noir with you. I’m releasing it now, predicated on the “pinky-promise” you’ll cellar it for another six months (or possible longer). This wine is a naïve babe, just born, and will benefit from additional aging to allow the flavors and textures to integrate and settle. I wrote my tasting notes based on a bottle I left open overnight, intentionally, to force some accelerated “bottle age.” That said, I know your palate is curious. If you’re fixated on sampling Nightwing now, please consider decanting her and giving her plenty of time and air. And then please consider saving your other bottle to revisit in the fall.
I believe this vineyard has the potential to eclipse many of the best-known vineyards in the region. The wind here is punishing. The fruit showcases that quixotic ideal of concentrated fruit, perfumed aromatics, earthy notes, and silky texture. In other words, all things pinot noir.
This vineyard is Chewie approved!
but wait, there’s more!
Our upcoming 2024 Spring Release will feature four wines:
2022 Nightwing Vineyard Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap
2022 Sangiacomo Vineyard Roberts Road Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap
2022 Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
& our beloved spring rose – 2023 Rose of Pinot Noir, Sonoma County
Soberanes fruit, 2022
save the date
Our 2024 spring release opens February 1, 2024. Please save the date, and thank you, as always, for your support.