Maker Notes
The Gallo Signature Series honors a journey that began in 1933. With some of California’s best grapes at her fingertips, third‐generation winemaker Gina Gallo has created a distinct collection of wines that could only be crafted from the Gallo family’s unique combination of vineyards. The Gallo Signature Series marks a return to hands‐on winemaking for Gina, and it brings to life the enduring legacy of Ernest and Julio Gallo.
About the Wine:
Complex aromas and flavors of cherry, pomegranate, boysenberry and lavender are hallmarks of our Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. Well-integrated notes of oak and vanilla from barrel aging complement a soft, silky mouthfeel to create a rich expression of this renowned Pinot region along the Central Coast.
About Santa Lucia Highlands:
A pristine, mountainous region nestled within the Monterey County AVA, the Santa Lucia Highlands is home to ancient alluvial soils, warm afternoon sunshine and cooling Pacific breezes. The vineyards here cascade down the southeast‐facing terraces of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. Evoking the terroir of Burgundy, the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation is home to extraordinary cool‐climate varieties.
About Olson Ranch Vineyard:
All of the grapes for our Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir come from our family’s Olson Ranch, a high‐elevation vineyard with abundant morning sunshine tempered by maritime breezes each afternoon – ideal conditions for growing premium Pinot Noir grapes. Olson Ranch features clay loam soil over fractured limestone.
Viticulture Notes:
The 2012 growing season in the Santa Lucia Highlands was lengthy and cool, with minimal rain and drying winds that created the perfect conditions for our Pinot Noir. This idyllic harvest has delivered well-balanced wines with elegant varietal expression.
Winemaking Notes:
The majority of this Pinot Noir came from Block N45 (Clone 667) and Block N42 (Clone 23) at Olson Ranch. The balance came from Block N29 (Clone 828), Block N17 (Clone777), and Block N48 (Clone 23). Following harvest, the fruit was cooled overnight to about 40°F, hand-sorted and gently destemmed to achieve pure, whole berries.
This wine was crafted in small-lot fermentation tanks, and a portion was fermented with dried stems to add greater complexity and enhance the tannin structure. This wine was aged sur lie, but not stirred, to encourage a smooth, round mouthfeel while retaining the enticing aromas and flavors of the Santa Lucia Highlands fruit. Our 2012 Pinot Noir was aged for eight months in a mix of new and used barrels from select cooperages, including Damy, Dargaud et Jaeglé, Leroi, Billon, Vicard and de Jarnac.
