EnRoute Vineyard Profile

EnRoute winery is devoted to the production of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and was founded by the partners of Far Niente in 2007. The winery’s first release, 2007 EnRoute Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, “Les Pommiers,” was introduced in May 2009.

The winery partners have always believed in vineyard ownership as key to producing the best fruit possible for the wines. In the search for parcels that would contribute to the ultimate EnRoute Pinot Noir blend, the partners purchased an abandoned apple orchard in Graton, which has been developed into a vineyard within the Green Valley AVA. They subsequently acquired the celebrated Amber Ridge Vineyard in Windsor and also made a commitment to the Manzana Vineyard in Green Valley at its inception in 2001.

EnRoute’s impeccable standards dictate farming according to organic principles, the cultivation of distinct Pinot Noir clones particularly suited to each site, and low-yielding vineyards that rarely produce more than three tons per acre.

 

Graton Vineyard
Planted near the western edge of the Russian River Valley, Graton Vineyard resides in the area where Russian settlers cultivated grape varietals in the early 1800s. Today, Graton Vineyard is part of the Green Valley AVA, a small, yet highly prized niche within the larger Russian River Valley AVA. Located approximately 10 miles from the Pacific Coast, temperatures here are significantly cooler than most other parts of the Russian River Valley, resulting in more hang time and longer ripening for the grapes.

Graton Vineyard’s 21.5 acres of double-Guyot-trained vines are rooted in the region’s famous Goldridge sandy loam soils, comprised of weathered sandstone and granite, with a fine, almost powder-like topsoil. Six distinct clones that are ideally suited to the Goldridge soils are cultivated in the vineyard. Pommard 5, Mt. Eden, Swan, 2A and Dijon clones115, and 777 are planted on 101-14 rootstock with 4 x 7 spacing. The clones combine with the soil and climate to foster the growth of moderately sized vines devoted to optimally developing and ripening the fruit. Graton Vineyard yields an elegant, silky, layered wine of subtlety, nuance and bright fruit character.

 

Amber Ridge Vineyard
Situated in the upper Middle Reach area of the northern Russian River Valley, Amber Ridge is a pedigreed vineyard that has brought forth many famous single-vineyard Pinot Noirs. Located on rolling terrain off Starr Road, 22 acres were planted to Pinot Noir in 2000 on bilateral vertical trellising. The clonal mix includes Pommard 5, Calera and Dijon clones 115, 667 and 777 using 101-14 rootstock to limit vigor. The Huichica soil series in the vineyard consist of moderately well-drained loam with clay subsoils, mixed sedimentary rock and volcanic ash. Amber Ridge Vineyard produces a distinctive wine with a medley of ripe, dark fruit, earthy cherry and wild berry notes supported by a dense midpalate.

 

Manzana Vineyard
Manzana Vineyard, in the Russian River’s Green Valley AVA, focuses on eight acres of Pinot Noir Dijon clones 114, 115 and Pommard 5, cultivated on an east-facing hillside that thrives in the cool climate and Goldridge sandy loam soils. Planted in 2001, Manzana bears a classic example of Green Valley Pinot Noir, with a graceful interplay of perfumed, red-fruit aromas typical of the beautifully structured wines of Green Valley.

 

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