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Model Farm Wines

Field Details
Owners/Winemakers Sean & Jo (Model Farm LLC)
License Address 21684 8th St E, Ste 430, 440, 450, Sonoma, CA 95476
Winery Address 144 Gateway Rd E., Napa, CA 94548
Mailing Address PO Box 371, Yorklyn, DE 19736
Phone (303) 523-7197
Web Site https://modelfarmwines.com
Email Info@ModelFarmWines.com
First Vintage
Current Production Small lot production
CA ABC License 635025 (Active)
First Issued 04/27/2022

Overview

Mountain wines from California's best vineyards. Focus on minimal intervention, old-world inspired winemaking techniques producing balanced wines with bright natural acidity, moderate alcohols, and deep minerality.

Note: Model Farm sources one Chardonnay from Santa Cruz Mountains (P·M Staiger Vineyard). All other wines are from Sonoma County vineyards.

Winemaking Philosophy

  • Careful site selection
  • Gentle handling in winery
  • Minimal, old-world inspired techniques
  • Native yeast fermentations
  • No commercial enzymes or additives
  • Bottled unfined/unfiltered
  • Moderate alcohol levels
  • Bright natural acidity
  • Deep minerality

Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains

P·M Staiger Vineyard - Chardonnay

  • Location: Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
  • Planted: 1973
  • Own-rooted Wente clone Chardonnay (rare in California)
  • High elevation with ample sunlight, cold Pacific air moderation
  • Fog at start and end of each day
  • Thin sandstone and shale soils
  • Full flavor ripeness at low sugars and high acidity

Sonoma County Vineyards

Berger Vineyard - Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Location: Sonoma Mountain Road, Sonoma Mountain AVA
  • Old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon since 1970s
  • East-facing slopes on Sonoma Mountain
  • Naturally low-yielding
  • Intense aromatics, deep concentration, racy acidity, rustic tannins

Wildcat Mountain Vineyard - Chardonnay

  • Location: Southwest Sonoma, Sonoma Valley AVA
  • Planted: 1998 by Steve MacRostie
  • Windswept ridge-top between Sonoma Valley and Petaluma
  • Pure volcanic rock soils
  • Exposed to Petaluma Gap wind and San Pablo Bay fog
  • Thin, rocky soils

Wood Valley Vineyard - Chardonnay

  • Location: Southeast Sonoma, Sonoma Valley AVA
  • Planted: 1980s
  • Steep terraces in pure volcanic rock
  • Foothills of Mayacamas Mountains
  • Old Wente clone Chardonnay
  • East-facing aspect, sheltered from afternoon sun
  • Volcanic terroir provides mineral precision

Model Farm 'Estate' - Syrah

  • Location: East Petaluma, Petaluma Gap AVA
  • 2-acre leased vineyard (since 2013)
  • Planted: Mid-1990s, 3 distinct Syrah clones
  • Cold foggy mornings, late day sun, consistent wind
  • Farmed exclusively by Model Farm using organic practices

La Cruz Vineyard - Syrah

  • Location: Southeastern Petaluma, Petaluma Gap AVA
  • Planted: 1989 by Keller Family
  • 2 acres of Syrah (Model Farm is only producer purchasing fruit)
  • Farther from the Gap, extended sunshine, extra warmth
  • Maintains Petaluma Gap trademark freshness
  • Counterpoint to Estate Syrah

Wines Produced

Chardonnay

  • P·M Staiger Vineyard (Santa Cruz Mountains)
  • Wildcat Mountain Vineyard (Sonoma Valley)
  • Wood Valley Vineyard (Sonoma Valley)

Winemaking: Whole-cluster pressed, overnight settling, 100% barrel fermented, minimal new French oak, native yeast primary and malolactic, no battonage, 12 months barrel aging + 6 months stainless steel, unfined/unfiltered

Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Berger Vineyard (Sonoma Mountain)

Winemaking: Small lot fermentation in upright wood fermentors, 100% destemmed, native yeast, gentle extraction, minimal new French oak, 18 months barrel aging, unfined/unfiltered

Syrah

  • Model Farm Estate (Petaluma Gap)
  • La Cruz Vineyard (Petaluma Gap)

Winemaking: Small lot fermentation (wood and stainless), high percentage whole-cluster, native yeast, gentle extraction, minimal new French oak, 18 months barrel aging, unfined/unfiltered

Distribution

Mailing list releases twice per year (spring and fall).

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