Tasting Notes
In this 2022 pinot noir, the terroir truly comes alive, imparting earth-driven notes enriched by blueberry tart and hints of vanilla custard. Dark chocolate s'more and cocoa powder dusting add complexity while the acidity lifts the palate. The purity of fruit shines through from the craftsmanship of intention, care, and unparalleled distinction.
VINTAGE NOTES- In 2022, we saw a continuation of the drought in CA, with warm weather, early bloom, and long, slow flowering. Some of our vineyard blocks that flowered during the cold stretch did not set as much fruit as typical, so we saw lower yields for the year. While this isn't ideal from a quantity standpoint, quality was great, and things began moving along quickly. We started harvest in mid-August, a week or two earlier than "normal," and as we approached Labor Day, we saw a heat wave on the horizon. We were in a good spot and could bring in much of our fruit before the heat. The grapes we let hang through the heat were still a ways away from being ready to harvest. In recent years we have been leaving more leaves on the vines to help shade and keep the fruit on the vines from being scorched by the sun. This decision helped us this year in particular. After the heat, temperatures cooled in the region, and we were able to bring in the rest of our fruit in the weeks following. All in all, we are very happy with the quality of this vintage and thankful for our team rallying during this intense time of year.
About Three Sticks
One of three esteemed Heritage vineyards, Gap's Crown is located in the rugged terrain of the Petaluma Gap and Sonoma Coast AVAs. Known for its high winds and blanket of fog from the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay, the cool climate gives the fruit thicker skins, allowing for richer colors, complexity in flavors, and consistency from vintage to vintage.
Three Sticks Wines is a boutique, family-owned winery led by veteran winemaker Bob Cabral. Cabral’s commitment to crafting small-lot, artisanal wines from exceptional Sonoma Coast vineyards, including Durell Vineyard, Gap’s Crown Vineyard and Walala Vineyard, drives the winery’s focus of creating site specific wines. Founded in 2002, the winery is named for owner William S. Price III’s surfing nickname, “Billy Three Sticks,” assigned to him in his youth as reference to the Roman numeral that follows his name. Three Sticks has a down to earth approach to growing and winemaking, they believe in table fellowship as the power of wine to bring people together.
Bill and Eva Price are lovers of Sonoma’s grapes and rich history. The Vallejo-Castenada Adobe (built in 1842) was built by Captain Salvador Vallejo, brother of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, the Commandante Generale of the northern territory of Mexico (modern day Sonoma). The Prices purchased the property in 2012 and embarked on a two-year preservation project. The Three Sticks team worked with Sonoma historians and the Sonoma League for Historic Preservation to restore and protect the fabric of the property. They commissioned San Francisco-based designer Ken Fulk and his team to design the ambience of the Adobe, as it is known locally. The historic landmark in downtown Sonoma is now home to the hospitality of Three Sticks.
