Owners Barbara and Edmond Pascoe bought a rolling 18 acre property on the eastern edge of Bennett Valley, Sonoma County, CA and named it Barbed Oak. A tongue in cheek reference to their first names, Barbed Oak Vineyard also alludes to the ancient oaks that dot the property. The 8.25 acre parcel was replanted in 2003 to Chardonnay, Dijon clone 95. In 2008, 4.22 acres were planted with Swan and Calera Pinot Noir clones. Naturally low-yielding, the vineyard is planted on rocky and sandy loam soils with clay and volcanic tuff. Excellent drainage and meticulous farming practices ensure maximum quality. 40% of the estate grapes are retained for the estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the remainder are sold to highly regarded local wineries. The wines are produced at Vinify in Santa Rosa by winemaker John Raytek. John has worked at some of the finest, artisanal wineries in the area including Flowers, Rhys Vineyards, Copain Wines and in 2007 founded his own winery, Ceritas. Barbara, Edmond and John are dedicated to crafting singlevineyard, coastal Californian expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The first vintage of Bared Oak was 2009.

Tasting notes

Bottled unfined and gently filtered, the wine offers pretty aromas of black cherry, tart Goji berry and cranberry. Flavors of ripe plum, black cherry and sassafras with hints of strawberry and cinnamon emerge on the palate. A core of zesty acidity and smooth, velvety tannins provide structure and depth.

Technical notes

The hand-sorted fruit was cold soaked for five days, fermented with wild yeasts and aged for 16 months in French oak (30% new).

Other text

Barbed Oak Vineyard is perfectly situated on 18 acres in Sonoma County’s Bennett Valley appellation. Matanzas Creek runs right alongside our property, and we neighbor the Sonoma Coast, Russian River and Sonoma Valley growing regions. Our grapes benefit from the warm days and cool nights that produce remarkable Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.