Ranchos de Ontiveros Native9 Pinot Noir

WHY WE LOVE IT

Native9 Pinot Noir grapes are sourced from all 8 clones of Pinot Noir at Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard, initially planted by James Ontiveros in 1997.
This wine is a reflection of the rugged location of the originally farmed, low-yield vineyard and is a true expression of its place.
These are unique, stand-out wines; a product of the land, conditions, and intention.
Organically farmed, minimally irrigated, hand-harvested and focused on whole cluster fermentation.

Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir

Elaboration: 100% whole cluster fermented with each clone separately aged for 21 months in 20% new French Oak. In its youth, the wine appears to be highly aromatic and nuanced with added structure for long-term aging of 10 years or more. The delicate, old world nature of Pinot Noir shines through with classic character as if it were a wine from the Southern AOCs of Burgundy.

Tasting Notes: “James Ontiveros sent a vertical of the pinot noirs from Rancho Ontiveros, his Central Coast vineyard from his family’s ancestral property, part of the original Rancho Tepusquet land grant. The wines share an old-school character—this 2014 is all about savor at this stage of its life, with scents of tobacco leaf, sundried tomato skin and caramel. All of this rallies around dried plum and fig fruit, conveyed on the palate by means of a thoroughly seductive, suede-like texture, balanced, composed, with an uncanny grace.” —P.J.C., Wine & Spirit

PRESS

2008 – 94 Wine Enthusiast

2013 – 90 Vinous

2014 – 94 Wine & Spirit | 93+ Vinous

2015 – 95 Wine Enthusiast

2016 – 94 Wine & Spirit | 93 Wine Enthusiast | 91 Vinous

2017 – 93 Wine Enthusiast

2019 – 92 Wine Enthusiast

PRODUCER BACKGROUND
In California’s Santa Maria Valley, Ranchos de Ontiveros produces small-lot estate wines that reflect the terroir and offer a true expression of the unique climate, soil, and capability of the valley.

This story begins in 1781 when Josef Ontiveros rode from Mexico to settle in California. He would become the first in a line of generations of California ranchers and farmers. Now, nine generations after his arrival, James Ontiveros is proud to grow and make wines of superb quality and complexity.

Both of the winery’s estate vineyards, Rancho Viñedo and Rancho Ontiveros, have a complex history and yield old-world-inspired wines. Only four miles apart, the soils of Rancho Viñedo are millions of years older than Rancho Ontiveros, and the old vines on their own roots are decades older. At 23, James planted Rancho Ontiveros on a windswept plot at an elevation of 700 feet. The unique soils and elevation led James to plant Pinot Noir, at the time, a risky and unconventional choice.