The KW Ranch occupies 14 terraced acres in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Sitting at about 220 feet elevation there is a gentle 5% slope of fertile soil that is mostly gravel loam with some large amounts of quartz.
With Pinot Noir, it’s all about the “where” and it is here on the ranch that Kori herself actually lives where some of the best pinot grapes grow this side of Burgundy.
The KW Ranch is perfectly situated in the heart of the S.L.H., surrounded by many well-known estates, including Garys’ Vineyard, Sleepy Hollow, and Rosella’s. Here the winds off Monterey Bay, cool climate, perfect soils, and long growing season allow Kori Pinot Noir to live up to its pedigree. Not only for our family venture but grapes are also sold to other wineries including Wrath, Scratch, Eno & Morgan.
Highlands Ranch Vineyard (Chardonnay & Pinot Noir)
Just down the road the Highlands is where we source the grapes for KORi blanc de blancs sparkling wine from 100% Chardonnay as well as rosé made exclusively from 100% Pinot Noir. Sitting about 100 feet higher than KW at 36 acres the Highlands Vineyard is a “boutique” offering in the SLH not unlike Meursault is for Burgundy. The Chardonnay here is pure coastal California with the ability to straddle buttery or crisp with floral aromas and fruity palates.
Griva VINEYARD, Arroyo Seco (Sauvignon Blanc)
In 2014 we made our first Sauvignon Blanc wine with grapes made exclusively from the Griva Vineyard further down the valley in Arroyo Seco. The vineyards border both sides of the Arroyo Seco River, for over 7000 feet, and contains many elevation changes. The Franscioni and Griva Family has farmed on the Central Coast since 1868 and purchased what is currently the Griva Vineyard in 1905. All of the vineyard soils are Arroyo Seco Loam with more sand, gravel and large stones compared to elsewhere in the AVA, especially the blocks nearest the river. The entire vineyard area comprises 334 acres with 57 being sauvignon blanc, but at 280 acres Chardonnay is the most commonly planted with smaller amounts of Riesling, Pinot Noir & Blanc and Syrah.
SAN SABA VINEYARD, WRATH (SYRAH)
Wrath Wines' estate San Saba Vineyard is sheltered in a nook just below the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. 25 miles south-east of Monterey the climate is heavily influenced by the morning fog and afternoon winds from the nearby Pacific Ocean. This is a cool site with little rainfall and one of the longest growing seasons in the world. The unusual climate allows winemakers to produce ripe, concentrated wines of exceptional balance. The estate consists of 72 acres, 67.75 of which are planted to grapes. The varietal mix is Chardonnay (30.44 acres), Pinot Noir (18.11 acres), Sauvignon Blanc (15.44 acres), Syrah (3.60 acres) and Falanghina (0.59 acres).