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The Freestone Vineyard Estate in the Sonoma Coast appellation is comprised of three distinct properties: Pastorale Vineyard, Quarter Moon Vineyard and Ferguson Vineyard. The vineyards lie only 5-8 miles from the Pacific Ocean west of Bodega Bay, providing a long and cool growing season. Goldridge soils, dramatic elevations, careful attention to clonal and rootstock selections and use of biodynamic farming principles result in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that is distinctly Freestone.
The first vines were planted in 2000 with phased replantings occurring through 2007, in part due to the challenges of the site and also to diversify clonal selection and rootstocks. Thus far the vineyard diversity at Freestone has produced wine of tremendous complexity, offering layers of earth, jam, spice and minerality. Today the oldest vines are eight years old with over eighty percent of the estate planted to Pinot Noir.
The principles of biodynamic farming are applied at Freestone and form the basis of self-sustainable winegrowing. Biodynamic farming maintains, preserves and ecologically enhances the natural vineyard environment by combining natural farming practices – composting, recycling nutrients, carefully managed irrigation, the use of cover crops – with natural remedies for deficiencies and seasonal changes such as simple, natural non-toxic biological field and foliar sprays. The results of all this work contribute to the cultivation and preservation of soil
health, which in turn affect fruit quality – all while respecting the environment.
Diurnal temperature swings of 45 degrees are not unusual in the
Freestone area which can also make for a very long growing season. Budbreak typically begins in late February and harvest can last until
the end of October. This long hang time allows for rich flavors to develop while the filtered light provided by the fog layer ensures a nice
backbone of natural acidity creating the ultimate vine balance.
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