From the first vintage in 2001, it was clear to me that this was a special site for Pinot Noir production. The wines have had a distinct personality which sets them apart from other Sta. Rita Hills wines. They take on different nuances with each vintage, but the core personality comes through each year. Fe Ciega Pinot Noirs have an interesting sage-like herbal character behind the more typical black cherry and blackberry aromas. On the palate the wines tend to be quite intense, with strong but smooth tannins and strong acidity. They have often been described as masculine. We are excited about our Chardonnay planting which is located immediately next to Sweeney Canyon Vineyard. That vineyard has produced many outstanding wines for the Longoria label as well as others. This planting, first harvested in 2011, provides us with an opportunity to produce classically-styled Chardonnay from our estate vineyard. Our small planting of Chardonnay produced some outstanding vintages of wine before the vines became infected with the virus, Pierce’s Disease. Our last vintage of Fe Ciega Chardonnay was in 2015 and the vines have since been pulled out.

In 2003, I decided to sell a few tons of Fe Ciega grapes to a longtime friend and a winemaker for whom I have tremendous respect, Adam Tolmach of Ojai Vineyards. Adam has a great feel for vineyard sites and as soon as he saw Fe Ciega for the first time, he didn’t hesitate to sign up for grapes. Adam feels Fe Ciega makes one of his top if not top Pinot Noir each year. In 2011 I decided to sell some of our Pinot Noir grapes to another good friend and esteemed winemaker, Bill Wathen of Foxen Winery.