Planted in March of 2008, Escolle Vineyard is 124 acres grounded in the northern Santa Lucia Highlands. Escolle is primarily planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with 46 rootstock and clone combinations throughout the vineyard.
Escolle is sustainably certified (SIP) and utilizes minimal intervention practices throughout the vineyard. No herbicides are used on Escolle, as all weeds are removed manually with either a weed knife or by hand. Minimal to no irrigation is utilized unless an extreme vintage takes place. A healthy cover crop is established to minimize any erosion and aids in ideal canopy vigor.
In the most granitic location on Escolle, we first grafted two acres of Syrah in 2018. Since then we have transitioned a total of six acres to Syrah and six acres to Gamay Noir. As the vineyard matures, we realize the full potential of each block with their destiny often established far before harvest.
PINOT NOIR: 84 acres
CHARDONNAY: 28 acres
SYRAH: 6 acres
GAMAY NOIR: 6 acres
TOTAL: 124 acres
Northern Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County
East Facing Bench
True North/South Row Orientation
ELEVATION: 220–500 ft
TRELLISING: VSP
FARMING PRACTICES: Sustainable (SIP)
GEOLOGIC COMPOSITION:
Granitic Metamorphic Schist
SOIL COMPOSITION:
Chualar Sandy Loam — 93%
Alluvial Sandy Loam — 5%
Parkfield Clay — 2%
CLIMATE:
Cool, Winkler Region 1
MARITIME INFLUENCE:
Fog and wind from Monterey Bay