In 1999, 16 acres of Pinot Noir vines were cultivated on these Willakenzie and marine sediment soils. The vineyard was subdivided into four plots with five different clones of Pinot Noir. The Bayless and Bower family retains around one-third of the fruit and sells off the remaining grapes to other wineries. Since 2015, the wines have been crafted by Eric Hamacher at Ponzi Winery.

This 100% estate-grown Pinot Noir is composed of Pommard, Dijon 777, Dijon 115 and Wadenswil Clones of Pinot Noir from the Yamhill-Carlton Ava. It is aged in 20% New French Barriques. The 2017 Ghost Hills Cellars Prospector’s Reserve Pinot Noir has a shimmering ruby hue. Upon the first approach, the wine's bouquet is inviting with an orchestration of rose petals, cassis and savory forest floor notes. There is restraint and elegance in the wine, a hallmark of the cooler 2017 vintage, where the fruit is not boisterous but rather refined. The wine's personality is light and airy with cherry compote and red plums, accompanied by hints of black tea and lightly crushed stones. There are silky tannins that coat the palate, carrying the wine’s vibrant acidity through to a lingering earth-based finish. This is a wine of quiet confidence where there is an interplay of elegance and depth.

By W Peter Hoyne