At Keller Estate, Pinot Noir is more than a varietal, it’s a reflection of the land, the weather, and the thoughtful choices made in both vineyard and cellar. Each vintage tells its own story, and every vineyard adds its own voice through the winds of the Petaluma Gap.
The 2022 and 2023 vintages couldn’t have been more different, yet both capture what we love most about this place, elegance, purity, and depth.
The 2022 Vintage: Vibrant and Expressive
The 2022 growing season brought warmth and an early harvest keeping us on our toes. Pinot Noir is famously sensitive, and this vintage asked for precision to capture ripeness without losing grace.
As our consulting winemaker Theresa Heredia explains, “It was a year to let the fruit speak for itself.” To preserve balance and nuance, the wines were aged in medium-toast barrels, chosen to highlight the purity of the fruit rather than add weight.
The result is a collection of fruit-forward, beautifully expressive Pinot Noirs, wines that are immediately delicious but will continue to reveal layers with time in bottle.
La Cruz Vineyard Pinot Noir
Our estate’s oldest vineyard continues to charm with its grace and precision. The 2022 La Cruz Pinot Noir shines with red cherry, rose petal, and gentle spice, showing the lifted, aromatic side of Pinot Noir that Theresa loves. Its supple texture and bright energy make it irresistibly food-friendly.
Perfect pairing: Roast chicken or herb-crusted turkey.
The wine’s bright acidity and subtle spice bring out the savory, comforting flavors of these classic dishes.
El Coro Vineyard Pinot Noir
Perched high on the estate, facing the full sweep of coastal wind, El Coro delivers depth and structure in every vintage. The 2022 El Coro Pinot Noir offers black raspberry, forest floor, and minerality, a graceful nod to the cool-climate sophistication of the Petaluma Gap.
Theresa likens its allure to the wines of Gap’s Crown, a benchmark vineyard within the AVA and considers El Coro “one of the most beautiful expressions of coastal Pinot Noir anywhere.”
Perfect pairing: Duck or Cornish game hen.
The wine’s dark fruit and earthy character mirror the richness of these dishes perfectly.
Precioso Pinot Noir
Our most limited bottling, Precioso, is a true cellar selection, a blend of our finest barrels from the vintage. The 2022 Precioso Pinot Noir is luscious and layered, showing cherry cordial, cola, and a hint of vanilla from careful barrel aging. It’s luxurious yet poised, a wine to savor slowly.
Perfect pairing: Smoked quail or truffle-roasted game hen.
The texture and depth of this wine make it a natural match for bold yet elegant preparations.
Your Table, Our Pinot.
Explore the 2022 collection, crafted to complement gatherings, stories, and every kind of bird.
Looking Ahead: The 2023 Pinot Noirs
While the 2022 Pinot Noirs are vibrant and expressive, the 2023 vintage is already showing its own character. A long, cool growing season allowed the grapes to develop deeper color, denser structure, and remarkable balance, reminiscent of 2021. These wines are cellared, but the early tastings hint at something exceptional.
A Toast to the Vineyard Team
Our winemaking is only as good as our fruit, and the fruit we receive is immaculate. Theresa often notes that Keller’s grapes are the “cleanest” she works with, free of leaves, mold, or raisins, a testament to the meticulous farming led by Vineyard Manager Derek Irwin.
Each cluster reflects a year of care, timing, and trust, the unseen work that makes every bottle of Keller Estate Pinot Noir a true expression of our place in the Petaluma Gap.
