Gali Vineyard

The Gali Vineyard, located in Corralitos near Watsonville, is planted to several of the Dijon Pinot Noir clones, widely popular in the 1990s during that period's massive vineyard expansion. The Calera clone and the once-popular Swan clone are planted here too. Wines for Sonnet are a blend of the Calera, 943 and 667 clones. 943 is one of my favourites due to its black cherry fruit that is so important for Pinot.

Although it is a cold location, perfect for Pinot, Tempranillo is planted here too. I was a bit of a sceptic at first but was amazed when this vineyard had no problem getting it ripe. That might be a worrisome sign for the future of Pinot Noir in these mountains due to climate change. Tempranillo is a favourite of mine from my early days of travelling throughout Spain in the early 1980s, and the wine made from this vineyard is true to type; it has to be tasted to be believed.