Denali Estate Sonoma Stage Vineyard Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap 2023

Alaskans are known for their pioneering spirit, stalwart character, and appreciation for the hard work necessary to kickstart new endeavors. Walt and Katherine Schlotfeldt, vintners of Denali Estate, share this industrious nature and love for their home state of Alaska. As lifelong business owners, when it came time to sell their family company and embrace retirement, the two found themselves antsy with all their free time, craving the relationships and creativity integral to managing their business. In their words, they realized they had "happily flunked retirement" and began meditating on their next adventure. During their nightly ponderings, the couple shared beautiful bottles of wine acquired from years as collectors and frequent visits to wine country, and those bottles were the key to unlocking a dream of stewarding a Napa Valley vineyard.

Walt and Katherine's journey was not without its challenges. Initially, they traveled to Sonoma County to search for a vineyard property and were on the verge of finalizing a deal near Healdsburg. However, their intuition told them to pause. After consulting with a vintner familiar with the area, they learned the land would not support a vineyard due to multiple issues. Undeterred, their Alaskan friends with a home in Napa encouraged them to expand their search to Napa Valley. After 40 viewings with their realtor, the Schlotfeldts discovered a 42-acre property in St. Helena bordering the Joseph Phelps vineyard. Despite the need for substantial re-development, the land met all their criteria, with stunning views of the valley below, perfect for watching the sunset. They spent their first decade in Napa Valley as grape growers and garnered a reputation for high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Each vintage, they kept one ton of fruit to make a family wine for personal consumption on holidays until 2016, when Walt and Katherine embarked on the next frontier of wine: crafting and selling their own label. Walt and Katherine tapped Jean Hoefliger (previously of Alpha Omega and AXR Winery) to create the Denali Estate wines. They were drawn to his meticulous, research-driven approach that tests the boundaries in seeking near, yet never, perfection. This pursuit reminded them of that persistent Alaskan spirit and felt like destiny. As they gained experience with making Cabernet, that curious itch arose again and the exploration into new varietals and regions began.

Their Pinot Noir is sourced from the Sonoma Stage Vineyard in the southeast corner of the Petaluma Gap sub-AVA. The property has a rich California history that dates to the 1880s and includes raising and ranching horses and cattle long before vines were ever planted. In 1999, the Hyde family planted the first Pinot Noir vines using Swan and Calera clones. Swan and Calera gained notoriety in California as both were rumored to be “suitcase” clones, a term used for clippings smuggled from Burgundy’s most prestigious vineyards to California in luggage. Today, Sonoma Stage is owned by the Leonardini Family of Whitehall Lane with 57-acres planted to Pinot Noir with a few acres of Chardonnay. The southeastern locale means these grapes experience the quintessential winds that sweep through Petaluma Gap along with the fog and winds coming off the San Pablo Bay. The cooler temperatures preserve incredible acidity and allow for a longer ripening period. Denali produced only 112 cases of the 2023 Pinot Noir which showcases fresh, red fruit aromas. On the palate, underlying floral and earthy tones add complexity with delicate tannins and elegant texture, highlighted by vibrant and refreshing acidity.