In 1974 Landmark Vineyards was founded by Damaris Deere Ford. Her great-great-grandfather was John Deere, inventor of the steel plow. Landmark Vineyards is situated in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains and sources fruit for this bottling from vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands at 300 hundred feet in elevation above the valley floor. The vineyards have an eastern sun exposure and are influenced by daily fog and maritime breezes from Monterey Bay. Greg Stach has been the director of winemaking since 2011.

The 2022 Landmark Vineyards Escolle Road Vineyard Pinot Noir is a provocative and sensual expression of Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands. This is an exceedingly well-balanced, enjoyable and concentrated wine with a heavenly bouquet of dried rose petals, freesia and lilac. It is jam packed with juicy, mouth-filling fruits that beckon your attention from the first sip. There is an infusion of sweet Bing cherries, blueberry marmalade, crushed mulberries blended with dark chocolate shavings and ground cinnamon. This wine has a silky texture and is beautifully accented with soft, powdery tannins that lead to a long, impressive finish.

By W Peter Hoyne