Wine maker notes

The Etude Carneros Pinot Noir hails from our estatevineyard tucked away in the far Northwest corner of the Carneros appellation. Unlike customary Carneros acreage, which is largely uplifted bay bottoms with soils composed of clay, the soils on Grace Benoist Ranch are variations of volcanic origin. They are well-drained, rocky upland soils. Combining these soils with the extreme western location closer to the Pacific Ocean makes this site the ideal place to grow Burgundian varieties. The vineyard parcels on the estate are customized to conform to the various soil types and the changing contours of the topography. Individual vineyards average only 8 acres in size and the spacing is dense to ensure low per vine yields of fully concentrated fruit. As stewards of the property, Etude remain steadfast in our commitment to adhere to sustainable agricultural practices that enable us to farm in concert with the surrounding environment.