Walden Wine Pinot & Chardonnay

Grower Notes

The 2023 growing season began with abundant winter rains and a cool spring, which slowed growth and allowed us to fine-tune the crop with precision. By summer, the coast delivered its classic foggy mornings and gentle afternoons, enabling small, loose clusters to ripen slowly with minimal irrigation. A long, patient harvest stretched into October, yielding modest quantities of concentrated fruit with bright acidity, fine tannins, and rich color. The long growing season gave time for ideal phenological maturity while maintaining the intricate and elegant nature of the variety. The result is a Pinot Noir that captures the epitome of the Sonoma Coast.

Tasting Notes

The 2023 Walden Mil Vistas Pinot Noir opens with lifted aromatics of pomegranate, plum, and blood orange, interwoven with coastal herbs, rose petal, spice, forest floor, and garrigue. On the palate, a bright, acid-driven entry leads to a layered mid-palate, where a subtle stem influence lends nuance to the fine, silky mouthfeel. Tannins are present yet polished, providing structure and complexity through a seamless finish that is sustained by vivid acidity and freshness.

The clonal diversity lends to remarkable dimension: Mt. Eden contributes richness, dark fruit, and savory depth; the DRC (suitcase) massale selection brings elegance, floral lift, and natural acidity; Clone 115 infuses aromatic brightness and finesse; while Pommard offers earth-driven aromatics, weight, spice, and a firm backbone that ensures ageability.

Grower Notes

The 2024 growing season at Mil Vistas began with ample soil moisture carried over from winter rains and a cool, steady spring that encouraged uniform budbreak and balanced early canopy growth. Compared to 2023, the season was noticeably warmer through the middle months, resulting in a faster ripening curve and earlier flavor development. Even so, the vineyard’s elevation and persistent Sonoma Coast fog moderated daytime temperatures and extended the maturation window just enough to allow full flavor evolution and thorough phenolic ripening. Goldridge soils provided reliable moisture retention, allows for minimal irrigation, supporting vine balance with minimal stress and helping clusters develop cleanly and evenly. A dry, stable finish to the season enabled a more concise and efficient harvest, bringing in pristine fruit with vibrant acidity, refined texture, and layered site expression. The resulting Chardonnay captures both the energy of the warmer vintage and the natural elegance that defines Mil Vistas Vineyard.

Tasting Notes

The 2024 Mil Vistas Chardonnay opens with lifted florals of honeysuckle and quince blossom, layered over bright citrus tones of lemon zest and lemon meringue. Subtle spice notes of cardamom add intrigue, while a distinct saline edge intertwines with mineral nuances and a gentle petrichor character, evoking wet stone after rain.

Bright and energetic on entry, the palate unfolds into a full yet finely controlled mid-palate, balancing richness with precision. Oak influence lends a soft, integrated roundness, while vibrant acidity drives the wine forward. Fermentation and aging on lees contribute depth and a creamy undertone, giving rise to a wave-like texture that builds and recedes gracefully across the palate. The finish is long, fresh, and mineral-driven, with a lingering saline impression.