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 25-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 2021 vintage was marked by ideal weather conditions, resulting in exceptional fruit from our vineyard partners throughout Northern California and from our estate. The winter was relatively dry in California, leading to an early bud break and small yields. Beautiful warm weather during the summer and the absence of extreme heat spikes in the latter half of the season allowed for excellent fruit maturation. As the season progressed, the theme of “early” continued, leading to a prompt harvest in advance of fall rains. The wines from 2021 represent a new high-water mark for wine quality at Arista. They’re true reflections of a wonderful season at Arista and across California.

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

Yeast: Native

Crushed wild berry and tart plum flavors match perfectly with the bouquet of violets and exotic spices evident in the 2021. The wine is packed with aromatic and flavor intensity yet feels nearly weightless across the palate. The 2021 Kanzler is arguably the most precise, crystalline, and exquisitely balanced Arista Pinot Noir of the vintage.