Take the road less traveled

Sonoma Coast AVA

The Sonoma Coast AVA extends from San Pablo Bay to the border with Mendocino County. Sonoma’s largest AVA, the appellation is known for its cool climate and high rainfall relative to other parts of Sonoma County.

Close to the Pacific, with more than twice the annual rainfall of its inland neighbors, it’s warm enough to ripen wine grapes because most vineyards are above the fog line. Not surprisingly, pinot noir and chardonnay are the stars here, which benefit from the region’s cool temperatures and direct exposure to marine influences.

The Annapolis Region lies in the remote northwest corner of the Sonoma Coast AVA near Sea Ranch. This is the coolest region of the AVA due not only to the close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, but also the 500 to 800-foot elevation of the vineyards that puts them squarely in the foggy and windy inversion layer that sweeps up the Wheatfield Fork of the Gualala River.

The Vineyards

Located on the second ridge in from the Pacific Ocean at 900 ft. elevation. The Heintz family has farmed the same coastal ridgeline in western Sonoma County for 100 years and Charles is the third generation farmer of Heintz Ranch.

Since the vineyard is a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, it offers early bud break, moderate summer days and the “Indian summer” that makes October the typical month of harvest. Soil type is Goldridge sandy loam. Total vineyard size is 55 acres: 25 acres of Chardonnay (Clone 4) planted in 1982, 20 acres of Pinot Noir (Pommard 4, 113, 115, Swan, Beringer) planted in 1996, 3 acres of Swan selection Pinot Noir planted in 2000-2001, and 2 acres of Syrah (clones 174, 470 and a field selection from Jean-Louis Chave) planted in 2002.

Some of the most venerable winemakers have sourced, and continue to source, from the Heintz vineyard. A true testament to the unique Sonoma Coast quality grapes the vineyard produces year after year.

Learn more about where and how our wine is made

All of these wines are from very s mall hand farmed vineyards in the Western Sonoma Coast with each having a unique Goldridge soil sequence. The wines are all within the style that I make wine but each one varies based upon the vineyard site.

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Pinot Noir

Super Chill

AREA

Freestone-Occidental sub-region of the West Sonoma Coast AVA

STYLE

Red fruit-forward with cranberry and raspberry notes, very textural in the mouth, and has a lifted finish.

VARIETAL/CLONE

100% Pinot Noir, 50% Pommard, 50% 777

95 Points

2019 vintage — Jeb Dunnuck

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Sauvignon Blanc

Walking On Venice Beach

AREA

West Sonoma Coast AVA

STYLE

Exquisitely vivacious, playful,
and energetic yet elegantly charged with
Summer's vitality. Slight malolactic
fermentation and stirred on the lees, then
aged in stainless steel and oak barrels.

VARIETAL

100% Sauvignon Blanc

97 Points

2020 vintage — Jeb Dunnuck

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Pinot Noir

Golden Hour

AREA

Eastern ridge of the West Sonoma Coast AVA

STYLE

Due to the more eastern orientation, this wine is a riper and fuller expression of a mix of red and purple fruits.

VARIETAL/CLONE

100% Pinot Noir Pommard, 777, 828

97 Points

2019 vintage — Jeb Dunnuck

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Pinot Noir

Stargazing

AREA

West Sonoma Coast AVA

STYLE

Focused on purity of fruit and vibrancy on the palate. With its cooler climate vineyard selection, the wine showcases flavors more akin to Twilight and Super Chill.

VARIETAL/CLONE

100% Pinot Noir Pommard, 777, 828, 9, 667, 115, 23

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Chardonnay

The Sun Also Rises

AREA

West Sonoma Coast AVA

STYLE

Elegant expression of the flowers, peaches, and pears of the season.

VARIETAL

100% Chardonnay

97 Points

2020 vintage — Jeb Dunnuck

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Pinot Noir

Twilight

AREA

Annapolis and Fort Ross-Seaview sub-regions of the West Sonoma Coast AVA

STYLE

Very opulent with aromas of red fruits and dried wildflowers, and a light-to-medium palate with a glimmer of acidity on the finish.

VARIETAL/CLONE

100% Pinot Noir 777, a more fruit driven clone, but delicate in flavor

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Slope and sequence

Unique sites, goldridge soils

Jayson focused on working with some of the most unique micro vineyards dappled across the Western Sonoma Coast. Each site was chosen because it presented a unique set of soils and microclimates that Jayson felt would add dimension to the wines.

The particular focus is on working with Goldridge soils. Goldridge soils are a rare, finegrained sandy loam, known for excellent drainage, and a characteristically light and fluffy texture. Some of his favorite sites have Goldridge over top of ancient seabed’s and maritime fossils.

The vineyards for Summer Dreams are all hillside vineyards with ample slope, many of them ranging from 900-1800 ft above sea level. The climate of these sites are marked by warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters. The clay content of the lower stratas helps retain moisture during the warm, dry summer months.

In addition to the focus on Goldridge soils and working with sites on slopes, a majority of the vineyard blocks we selected are from the oldest blocks ranging from 30-40 years of age.

Jayson prefers the old blocks and although the yields are minuscule, the complexity and range of flavor is vaster, leading to a more complex and rich wine.