The Crane Assembly Disciples Bell Summe Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2024

In 1858, when most believed grapes had no business growing in this corner of St. Helena, Dr. George Beldon Crane planted anyway. On an alluvial fan at the base of the Mayacamas, he introduced Napa to vinifera — a field blend of "mixed blacks" meant to rival the best wines in the world. Zinfandel. Petite Sirah. Carignan. Alicante. Mourvèdre. Vines that, against all logic, took hold. Nearly two centuries later, those vines are still here.

For 168 years, this four-acre block has been continuously farmed — through phylloxera, prohibition, reinvention — quietly becoming one of Napa's most storied sites. Now it turns another page. The Crane Assembly is under new stewardship. In 2022, Vail and Leslie Miller — fresh off the sale of their family's century-old distribution company, Heidelberg — purchased both the vineyard and brand. With the 2023 vintage, they brought in Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky to guide the next era. And wow, does it show.

The latest release carries the historic density and power of Crane's old vines — but there's new precision here. Lift. Line. A kind of architectural clarity layered over that unmistakable Napa depth. This is exactly why we love our job: to highlight the moments when heritage meets momentum. When a vineyard you thought you knew suddenly feels electric again.

The 2024 Disciples Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast AVA opens with aromas of ripe cherry, subtle cola, dried herbs, and a delicate floral lift. Medium-bodied, the palate shows vibrant acidity and a seamless texture, with layers of red cherry and raspberry framed by savory undertones and gentle spice. Fine, integrated tannins carry through a long, balanced, and elegant finish.