WINERY: The core principle of the winemaking philosophy at Arista is to capture and express the true character and potential of each vineyard. They work with a very carefully chosen handful of grand-cru level Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards, and are uncompromising in their efforts to maximize the full potential of the wines crafted from these special sites.

WINE: Kanzler Vineyard is one of the more recent additions to the Arista portfolio. On paper, this vineyard has always had incredible potential, combining 28-year-old vines and coveted Goldridge soils with organic farming at the hands of Eric Neil. Eric is a guru of the Russian River Valley, and the wines from the Kanzler Vineyard more than live up to the hype. The combination of the light, sandy Goldridge soils paired with the decidedly cooler climate of this corner of the Russian River Valley appellation south of Sebastopol yields an especially vibrant Pinot Noir.

One of the first vineyards planted on the Western edge of Sonoma, the Kanzler Vineyard is a premier Russian River Valley site situated a mere eight miles from the Pacific Ocean. Since its inception 1996, the Pinot Noir planted on these 14 acres has showcased the potential of coastal Pinot Noir in California. The well-draining Goldridge soils that form the backbone of this site are perfect for Pinot Noir, which is notoriously finicky. Combined with cool, oceanic fog, the vines at Kanzler are primarily Dijon and Pommard clones and ripen slowly and gradually, yielding wines with incredible complexity and finesse.

The 2022 growing season in Sonoma County started early due to low rainfall and warm spring temperatures. We faced two frost spells in the Russian River Valley, where frost has become increasingly common. Summer was mild with gradual warming through mid August, leading to our earliest harvest. This timing was fortunate, as we completed most harvesting before a significant September heatwave that affected many Sonoma and Napa vineyards. The 2022 vintage produced crystalline, ethereal wines with distinct character. These aromatic, gem-like wines reflect the season’s challenges, which ultimately contributed to their depth and beauty.

11 months in French oak barrels. 20-30% whole cluster used during fermentation. Unfined and unfiltered.

Yeast: Native

The combination of the light, sandy Goldridge soils and decidedly cooler climate of this corner of the Russian River Valley yields an especially vibrant Pinot Noir. On the palate, the wine is packed with intensity yet so ethereal it’s almost weightless, magically balancing a bouquet of violets and exotic spices with crushed wild berry and tart plum flavors. The 2022 Kanzler is arguably the most precise, crystalline, and exquisitely balanced of the Arista Pinots from the vintage. The purity here is exceptional, with vibrant red and blue fruit flavors lasting for a full minute on the finish.