Where is Lilo Vineyard?
On a south-facing slope perched at 300m elevation in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Lilo Vineyard opens to an unobstructed view to the South over the Monterey Bay. Planted a dozen years ago on a complex mix of schist, shale, and sandstone soils, the slope is quite steep, and yields can be stunningly low - 0.99 ton from all 4.5 acres in 2011. Just above the fog line, this is viticulture on the edge of possibility - a site fully exposed to late frosts at bud break and spring rains that can affect flowering and every torment the weather coming off the Pacific can bring. In short, exactly the kind of marginal climate that is called for to coax the layered, subtle perfumed spicy best out of that most fickle of varieties, Pinot Noir.
Where is the vineyard in Pinnacles?
Planted by Dick Graff on a northwest-facing slope on limestone and decomposed granite soils, the vineyard lies within sight of the Pinnacalitos, near the East entrance to Pinnacles National Park. At some 1800' elevation, we often pick this venerable vineyard starting at 2am under the stars of the Milky Way and the Perseid Meteor showers, to a soundtrack of coyotes on the prowl.
