Gros Ventre Campbell Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2019

ACME gets full credit for discovering this producer and even being order #1 way back when. Since then, the wine has garnered heaps of acclaim and amassed fans all over the country but has always remained special to us at ACME. Winemaker Chris Pittenger left his sommelier gig in Jackson Hole, WY to dive head-first into the production side of the wine world. Starting first at Robert Biale Winery, he then joined the Williams-Selyem winemaking team after deciding to fully immerse himself into Pinot Noir. Ultimately, Chris studied under the legendary Helen Turley at Marcassin Estate, home to arguably the most coveted Pinots made in this hemisphere, before launching his very own, Gros Ventre. The name pulls double duty, too: Gros Ventre is a river near Jackson Hole, and the French translation (big belly) was Chris’s affectionate nickname for his wife Sarah who was carrying their first child during their debut vintage. Ten years later, with child number two and a dog gained, Chris and his wife Sarah have continued to deliver some of the most coveted Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs that have ever graced the ACME wall of wine. It is such a joy to see these dedicated and passionate individuals pursue their dream through unending hard-work and dedication to great wine! 

Located just west of the town of Annapolis in the Northern corner of the Sonoma Coast appellation, Campbell Ranch Vineyard is perched at 1,000 ft elevation, above the fog and clouds. The proximity to the ocean keeps the vineyard site extremely cool, while the elevation ensures continuous sunshine, ideal for ripening beautiful Pinot Noir clusters. The soil is calcareous sandstone and vines are planted very close to each other with multiple Dijon clones. Combined, all of the factors help deliver a stunning Pinot Noir with bright acidity, balanced yet rich vibrant fruit, and refined mouth-coating tannins. 

“From a site on the Sonoma Coast, the 2019 Pinot Noir Campbell Ranch was all destemmed and brought up 18 months in 20% new French oak. More strawberries, white flowers, orange blossom, and honeysuckle emerge from this beauty, which is medium to full-bodied and has a rounded, elegant texture, beautiful fruit, good acidity, and a clean, lengthy finish. It's beautifully done and already drinking great. It should evolve for 5-7 years.”~ Jeb Dunnuck