Calera Wine - Vineyards

Vineyards Calera’s vineyards soar at an average of 2200 feet above sea level and are cooled by the direct flow of cold marine air off the Pacific Ocean through the Monterey Bay coast, towards the upper elevations of the Gavilan Mountain range and Mt. Harlan. The elevation further moderates the climate in what many expect would be a hot growing region reducing the temperature about three degrees for every 1000 feet of height in elevation.

In 2008 California Certified Organic Farmers bestowed their certification on Calera for its organic farming practices. Like much of California the summer growing season is very dry which reduces the need for pesticides. Instead, beneficial insects to reduce pest bug populations, compost mixtures to enhance the organic content of the mountain soils, and cover crop methods to improve soil nutrient levels are natural ways to combat any viticultural problems. A dedicated vineyard crew makes multiple trips through the vines on a daily basis to ensure appropriate vineyard management to produce the best fruit possible. The fruit of their labor is precious with crops rarely exceeding two tons per acre, emphasizing quality over quantity.

“Josh Jensen has been farming pinot noir in the limestone soils of Mount Harlan since the 1970s. His deep-rooted vines now produce some of the most compelling and complex pinot noirs in the New World.” – Wine & Spirits Magazine ‘Top 100 Wineries’

“Calera’s fanatical commitment to traditional Burgundian methods of viticulture, enology and barrel selection yield fruit and wines of such high character that this property more than any other California property deserves to be recognized as Grand Cru." – The Underground Wine Journal

Mt. Harlan PINOT NOIR

Selleck	Selleck (4.8 acres) Grape: Pinot Noir Soil: Decomposed granite, limestone outcroppings, very rocky Exposure: South/Southwest facing Fruit: Most concentrated fruit but low yielding only just above one ton per acre Age: Planted 1975 History: Named after Dr. George Selleck, a family friend who first introduced Josh to wine Style: Concentrated and complex wines with great perfume and Burgundian style with great aging potential
Reed	Reed (4.4 acres) Grape: Pinot Noir Soil: Deepest and darkest soil, was a forest, more clay and Northern exposure, slow to ripen Exposure: Upper and lower blocks, North and Northeast facing Fruit: Last to ripen annually Age: Planted 1975 History: Named after William (Bill) G. Reed, Sr. one of Josh’s original partners and investors and a close friend Style: Forward and aromatic, lighter and somewhat exotic with exceptional softness on the palate
Jensen	Jensen (13.8 acres) Grape: Pinot Noir Exposure: 4 blocks, each hillsides and different exposures Fruit: Yield about 1.5 tons per acre of very intense small berry fruit Age: Planted 1975 History: Named after Stephen Jensen, Josh’s father Style: Impeccably balanced, rich, round and age-worthy wines
Mills	Mills (14.4 acres) Grape: Pinot Noir Exposure: 2200-2300 feet above sea level on South-facing hillsides sloping to Harlan Creek Fruit: Planted on its own roots with material from the original vineyards Age: Planted 1984 History: Named for Everett Mills, a neighbor and friend who always kept an eye on Josh’s progress during the early development years Style: Fragrant and spicy, with broad round tannins and a long finish
Ryan	Ryan (Upper - 9.4 acres and Lower – 3.7 acres) Grape: Pinot Noir Exposure: West facing, reaches 2500 feet at its highest Fruit: Planted more densely than the other vineyards Age: Upper planted 1998 and lower planted 2001 History: Named after Jim Ryan, Calera’s vineyard manager since 1979, a surprise to Jim until he saw the first vintage in bottle (2002) Style: The young vines from the Ryan vineyard produce wines of bright, lively red fruit just beginning to hint at that definitive Mt. Harlan minerality
de Villiers	de Villiers (15.6 acres) Grape: Pinot Noir Exposure: Planted adjacent to Mills and near Jensen Age: Planted in 1997 History: named for Marq de Villiers, author of the Heartbreak grape, the story of Josh’s creation of Calera Style: Showy and forward with chewy and juicy fruit character, and a rich, lush round mouthfeel

Mt. HARLAN WHITE VARIETALS

Aligote	Aligote Two rows in Jensen and four in the Chardonnay vineyard, only 330 vines. An easy drinking white variety from Burgundy it offers a juicy, tart wine with notes of apple blossom and gooseberry.
Viognier	Viognier (2.2 acres of original planting in 1983 plus an additional 3.1 acres planted in 1989) In 1983 the first acreage of Viognier was some of the first Viognier planted in California. The south-facing limestone slope created conditions in which the Viognier had to struggle but the payoff was worthwhile. Today is produces very low yields that offer up concentration and intense aromatics but still with a characteristic minerality rarely found in this grape elsewhere in California.
Chardonnay	Chardonnay (6.1 acres) The Mt. Harlan Chardonnay Vineyard was planted in 1984 on the same south facing slope as the Mills Pinot Noir. This vineyard was planted on its own roots using plant material from stray Chardonnay vines that were found interspersed among the Pinot vines of the original vineyards. Each year this vineyard yields only slightly more than 2 tons per acre of very intense flavorful Chardonnay fruit. Leaner and more mineral than a typical California Chardonnay the wines carry a creamy texture and a leanness that are unique due to the limestone soil.

Central Coast Each year Calera purchases Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes from growers throughout the Central Coast Region of California to be made into Calera’s two Central Coast wines. The vineyard sources for these wines have remained fairly consistent, however small quantities of fruit from new or newly available vineyards are included almost every year, with a constant eye toward the best possible quality. Some of these vineyards include:

Chardonnay

Besson Vineyard – Santa Clara County
Cienega Valley Vineyards – San Benito County
Gimelli Vineyards – San Benito County
Laetitia Vineyard – San Luis Obispo County
 Lone Oak Vineyard – Monterey County
Los Alamos Vineyard – Santa Barbara County
Mt. Harlan Vineyard – San Benito County 
San Felipe Vineyard – Santa Clara County 
San Ysidro Vineyard – Santa Clara County 
Sheid Vineyard – Monterey County 
Sleepy Hollow Vineyard – Monterey County 
Talley Vineyard – San Luis Obispo County
Wente Vineyard – Alameda County

Pinot Noir

Arroyo Seco Vineyard - Monterey County 
San Ysidro Vineyard – Santa Clara County 
Besson Vineyard – Santa Clara County 
Cienega Valley Vineyards – San Benito County 
Doctor's Vineyard - Monterey County
Gimelli Vineyards – San Benito County 
Laetitia Vineyard – San Luis Obispo County
Los Alamos Vineyard – Santa Barbara County
Mt. Harlan Vineyard – San Benito County 
Sheid Vineyard – Monterey County 
Sleepy Hollow Vineyard – Monterey County 
Talley Vineyard – San Luis Obispo County 
Windward Vineyard– San Luis Obispo County