COLOUR
Red
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2018
GRAPE
Pinot Noir
PRODUCER
Wayfarer
REGION
California
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Medium - Full
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
High
Finish
Long
Intensity
Pronounced
Tannins
Medium - High
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Wayfarer was founded by Jayson Pahlmeyer, the legendary figure behind Napa Valley's historic Pahlmeyer Winery, and is now led by his daughter, Cleo Pahlmeyer. Located on King Ridge in the remote Fort Ross-Seaview AVA of the Sonoma Coast, the estate sits at an elevation of 1,100 feet, just four miles from the Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by towering redwood forests, this extreme coastal vineyard sits high above the fog line, creating a natural 'suntrap' where cold ocean winds meet intense mountain sunshine. Legendary winemaker Helen Turley originally discovered the organic farm and predicted it would become 'the La Tache of California' due to its extraordinary potential for world-class Pinot Noir.
ALCOHOL
14.5%
AVG. PRICE
€100
STYLE
Classic
VEGAN
YES
SULPHITES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
14-16°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
Legendary winemaker Helen Turley discovered the site and predicted it would become 'the La Tache of California.'
Fact 02
The vineyard features a complex mosaic of 11 distinct Pinot Noir clones, including a proprietary 'suitcase' clone from Burgundy.
Fact 03
Perched at 1,100 feet elevation, the estate sits above the fog line, just four miles from the cold Pacific Ocean.
FOOD PAIRING
Read more
WINE MAKING PROCESS
The winemaking process at Wayfarer is guided by winemaker Todd Kohn, emphasizing precision and minimal intervention. Grapes are hand-picked in the cool pre-dawn hours and hand-sorted before being almost entirely destemmed. Following a cold maceration of 5 to 7 days, the juice undergoes a native yeast fermentation in small, temperature-controlled tanks for over two weeks. Only free-run juice is utilized. The wine is aged for 15 months in French oak barrels (58% new) sourced from elite cooperages including François Frères, Rousseau, and Remond. To preserve its natural texture and complex aromatic profile, the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.
