Ten Acre

Scott and Lynn Adams, the owners of Bella Winery, settled in the Russian River Valley on an idyllic 10 acre site just two miles from the famed Rochioli Winery. Ten Acre is dedicated to producing cool-climate pinot noir and chardonnay from their own organically farmed vineyard as well as some of the most renowned vineyards in the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley. They work with small lots with the intent of allowing each wine to express a sense of place. The talented Michael Zardo heads up the winemaking team. Zardo was previously the assistant winemaker at Pisoni Vineyards and Winery and also spent some time working at Bernardus and in New Zealand. Charlie Chenoweth is the viticulturist. Charlie is a fifth generation Sonoman who has worked with Dutton Ranch, Littorai and Kistler. The first release of Ten Acre was the 2010 vintage. Their total production is less than 3000 cases.

Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay

This wine is sourced from the Santa Lucia Highlands, a coastal area near the Monterey Bay renowned for its pinot noir and chardonnay. This wine comes from an exceptional vineyard, with a location that benefits from heavy coastal influence. The site is usually completely blanketed with fog until noon each day. Even after the fog recedes, cool ocean air is drawn in off the bay, resulting in moderate temperatures and extended hangtime. This unique microclimate also produces strong grape skins, which contribute to the intense flavors of this chardonnay. Decomposed granite soils provide excellent drainage, further contributing to the concentration, flavor and impeccable acid balance of the grapes.
This wine showcases the crisper side of the chardonnay spectrum, offering more of a classic Burgundian style, while still providing abundant Californian fruit. On the palate, it is delightfully balanced, with bright green apple and tropical flavors supported by a beam of acidity, which adds nerve and focus.
To accentuate this wine’s freshness and pure fruit, it has been minimally oaked. Only 190 cases produced.

Reviews:
Price: Fl $256, 2cs $240
 
Mote Negra Vineyard Chardonnay

A refreshingly crisp, lusciously styled chardonnay from the renowned Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. This extremely well-balanced wine boasts bright flavors of green apple and tropical notes. Aging occurred in a combination of new and neutral French barrels for a complimentary yet restrained oak influence. 275 cases produced at 14.1% alcohol.

Reviews:
Price: $300 NET
 
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

The Sonoma Coast appellation has emerged as one of California’s premier locations for growing exceptional cool-climate pinot noir and chardonnay. The fruit from the region’s coastal-influenced vines lends itself to making deep, complex wines that share the sophistication of their European counterparts, without losing the charm that defines great California pinot noir.
The 2010 vintage was sourced from a handful of top Sonoma Coast vineyards including the Sangiacomo family’s Roberts Road Vineyard, and the DuNah Vineyard. Aging occurred for 11 months in French oak barrels, with 40% being new.
This wine opens with deep herbal aromas of spicy rhubarb and green tea that lead into flavors of sweet cherry and nutmeg spice. As it evolves, darker berry notes emerge, with good acidity adding lift and focus. A touch of fruit from slightly warmer vineyards adds subtle red raspberry flavors, as well as roundness and a backbone of soft tannins that suggest this substantial pinot will improve for the next five or six years. 250 cases produced at 14.8% alcohol.

Reviews:
Price: $300 NET
 
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

The Russian River Valley pinot noir is a thoughtful selection of barrels from Ten Acre’s Russian River Valley wines. These barrels are chosen as the most representative of this fog-blanketed valley in bouquet, flavor and texture. Individual barrels are selected from each lot of single-vineyard Russian River pinot noir to create a compelling and complex final blend that captures the best essence of pinot noir from the region.

The Russian River Valley has long been renowned for producing pinot noir fruit of the highest caliber, and this remarkable blend exemplifies the region’s lush, approachable style. It immediately greets the nose with ripe aromas of candied cherry and sweet molasses, while its silky texture and delightfully round mouthfeel entice the palate for another sip.
100% French oak: 33% new, 33% 1-year-old, 33% 2-year-old. 350 cases produced at 14.3%alcohol.

Reviews:
Price: $320 NET
 
Van der Kamp Vineyard Pinot Noir

Van der Kamp Vineyard is one of the oldest and most acclaimed sites on Sonoma Mountain. At an elevation of 1,200 feet, the vineyard is also the highest on the mountain, with spectacular panoramic views and red volcanic soils. Though the oldest vines on the site date back to the 1960s, the vineyard also features more youthful plantings, including the finest Dijon clones.

The 2010 Vintage of this wine was vinified with balance firmly in mind. Indigenous yeast was used, and punch-downs were performed twice daily during fermentation after a five-day cold soak. The wine was aged in 30% new French barrique with rest in second and third year barrels. This resulted in a wine that is both structured and elegant, supple in texture, with flavors of dark red fruit and sweet earthy spice. Its rustic, Old World styling is evident in the substantial backbone of fine tannins. Only 150 cases were produced at 14.3% alcohol.

Reviews:
Price: $400 NET