McHenry Vineyard
Please join us for a tasting of our current releases of Pinot Noir and a selection of older vintages.

McHenry Vineyard, 2008 Pinot Noir, Estate, Swan Clone, Santa Cruz Mountains

We are delighted to offer this wine that we made from a special block in our 2.3 acre vineyard at the top of Bonny Doon Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vines derive from cuttings propagated from Joe Swan’s vineyard in the Russian River Valley. That vineyard is well known for their exceptional quality . We are delighted to find just how special the lineage of this clone is when nurtured by loving hands in the soil of Bonny Doon.

We picked on September 1 at 24.8°, 0.9 TA (percent by volume), and 3.3 pH. The wine rested for 21 months in 60 gallon French oak barrels (Francois Freres).

The aroma is intensely complex with hints of raspberry and sweet lavender reminiscent of the beautiful 2006 Swan Clone. It has a rich, ripe fruit, black cherry taste and a lovely, long and complex finish.

74 cases produced 32 per bottle
Alc. 14.3% by volume

McHenry Vineyard, 2008 Pinot Noir, Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains

We are so pleased by the quality of the 2008 Pinot Noir, but disappointed that there are fewer than 160 cases to share. The precious fruit reached perfection between September 1 and 6 with deep and rich flavors, excellent sweetness (24.7° Brix)and just the right amount of tartness (0.9 TA and 3.3 pH) to make a delicious wine. The primary fermentation transformed the juice into wine in 11 days and the result rested in a mix of new and near-new French oak barrels (Francois Freres) for 17 months.

This is a wine for special occasions. It is soft and luscious with wonderful complexity for which this noble grape is so rightfully celebrated. It is the winemaker’s personal favorite from over 3 decades of tending our grapes into wine.

160 cases produced 30.00 per bottle
Alc. 14.4% by volume


A few bottles of those older siblings are still available. Most have departed, but we have held back the 1999 Massaro Vineyard, and some decade-old Pinot Noir from Amaya Ridge Vineyard. The 1996 Massaro Vineyard, the 2000 Massaro Vineyard, the 2001 Estate, the 2002 Estate, the 2003 Estate the 2004 Estate, the 2005 Estate, the 2006 Estate and 2006 Estate Swan Clone, have SOLD OUT.

Please come visit to taste these special delights!


History of McHenry Vineyard


McHenry Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir Grapes September 2002

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