2016 SWK

History Occidental is Steve Kistler’s project with a singular focus – to make world-class pinot noir from unique sites on the headlands in the Freestone-Occidental area. Since the early 1990s, Steve Kistler has believed that the climate and soils on the uplifted marine terraces and ridges around the town of Bodega would be ideal for growing distinctive and Burgundian-style pinot noir. He founded Occidental as a small, family brand in 2011, and built a state- of-the-art winery just east of Bodega overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Peak production is planned to reach around 7,500 cases of pinot noir. Steve’s daughters Catherine and Lizzie have joined him at Occidental, along with many members of the original Kistler farming and cellar crews.

Viticulture The field selections planted in the Occidental vineyards represent years of experimentation and refinement. Back in the early 1990s, the initial field selections were collected from two grand cru vineyards in Vosne Romanée. Steve first propagated these selections as individual mother vines in order to identify which selections had the desired characteristics to be used in future Occidental plantings. Occidental’s approach to farming seeks to develop vineyards that are as naturally self-regulating as possible. Yields average less than two tons per acre. The low crop levels and the meticulous work of the vineyard crews are critically important in farming vineyards so close to the ocean.

Winemaking Picking decisions are based on flavor, physiological maturity, and on natural acidity and pH to preserve freshness and energy. All fruit is harvested by hand at night and arrives cool at the winery the next morning, where it is carefully sorted twice. The goal is to leave the maximum number of uncrushed, whole berries in each fermenter. The vineyard blocks with more millerandage are fermented with 20-30% whole clusters. Each vineyard block is fermented separately in order to capture as much individual site character as possible. Native yeast fermentations begin in 7-10 days and proceed to dryness in less than three weeks. Punchdowns are used only as needed to distribute the heat of fermentation, ensuring the most gentle extraction. After fermentation is complete, the tanks are drained and only the free-run (Occidental does not own a press) is transferred by gravity into François Freres barrels (25% new) to age in a cold, underground cellar. Native malolactic fermentations usually begin by the end of December and are complete by spring of the following year. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered with a minimum level of SO2, usually before the New Year.

The SWK Vineyard The SWK Vineyard is located in the upper, northwest corner of the Bodega Headlands Vineyard at an elevation of 750 feet. Its soils are similar to the decomposed marine sediments and fractured sandstone soils of Bodega Headlands but with less topsoil and nutrients. SWK lies in the coolest corner of the property and is most directly exposed to the prevailing onshore winds. Because this vineyard lies in direct line of sight to the Pacific Ocean and is exposed to harsh conditions, we adapted a traditional two-cane Guyot pruning system by changing the orientation of our canes to provide protection for each vine on the windward side. The SWK Vineyard is planted on 101-14 and grafted with one of our most special proprietary massale selections of pinot noir. SWK is the lowest yielding vineyard, typically setting the loosest clusters with the most millerandage. The SWK fruit is generally lowest in pH with a high level of natural acidity and fine-grained tannins, and receives our gentlest extraction.

The 2016 Occidental Pinot Noirs The 2016 Occidental pinot noirs are crystalline, mineral-laced . They feature an impressive array of chiseled red fruits, along with a delicate saline quality – a signature of our ridgetop vineyards that makes them so compelling. A cool growing season like 2016 sharpens the expression of our coastal vineyard sites and sets them apart from all others.

2016 SWK Vineyard Captivating aromas of wild red berries, crushed flowers and fresh thyme. Finely-etched and precise with a strong, soil-driven character. An intriguing saline quality accentuates the intense red berry flavors. Turns more savory on the finish with fine-grained tannins and subtle, rising length.