Vineyard Article

Cardiac Hill vineyard runs on a very steep hillside at an elevation ranging from 500 to 900 feet hence the peculiar but appropriate name. It is situated in the southeast corner of the Bennett Valley, where three mountain peaks at the northern end of the Petaluma Wind Gap create a unique Sonoma County micro-climate. The Valley's benchland soils formed from the volcanic ash of Taylor Mountain, Sonoma Mountain and Bennett Ridge, combined with the unusually cool climate, create one of Sonoma County's most expressive Syrah growing regions.

This North-facing vineyard is 9.5 acres planted to four different clones of Syrah: Estrella River, 383,470 and 174. Spacing is 4x6 with a VSP trellising system and all vines are caned pruned. Crop thinning starts at one cluster per shoot before veraison and adjustments are made to crop load after veraison. Average tons per acre is 1.5-2.5 tons.