Vineyards

Block 27 is the winery’s flagship Chardonnay block in Robert Young Vineyard. Planted entirely to the Robert Young clone, 17, this block is the backbone for our Alexander Valley Chardonnay, Clone 17 Chardonnay and Area 27 Chardonnay.

Gertrude’s Block Chardonnay, named in honor of Robert’s wife who loved horticulture, is planted a short walk away from our esteemed Block 27 Chardonnay. This site is similar to Area 27 for its intensity, varietal flavors, and richness. Gertrude’s Block and Area 27 make up our Alexander Valley Chardonnay and the best barrels of this block will find their way into our Clone 17 Selection.

Scion Block is unique for a having a richer soil profile as well as crests and swales throughout the block. This block produces a Cabernet Sauvignon of finesse and balance. Scion Block fruit is often used as a “moderator” to bring balance to the other Cabernet Sauvignon blocks.

30,000 tons of volcanic boulders were pulled from this block, thus the aptly named “Big Rock Block.” The soils are well-drained, naturally devigorating and the temperatures are warmer during the day, providing the necessary components to grow outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon.

Along our hillside bench, we planted Cabernet Sauvignon to our last block, adjacent to Robert Young’s burn pile, aka Bob’s burn pile. Planted at our highest elevation, the soil structure changes from alluvial bench to rocky gravel. The result is a site which provides maximum concentration and depth of flavor -- the purest expression of Cabernet Sauvignon on the property.

Peter’s Block, named after the first-generation pioneer of the Young Family, is our smallest block of hillside Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a crest -- years of weathering and erosion have left this small tuft barren. Cabernet Sauvignon from Peter’s Block has intense tannin structure and opaque color, providing a backbone to our Scion blend.

This steep site in Robert Young Vineyard is nearly terraced and has a similar profile to our Peter’s block Cabernet Sauvignon.  Years of weathering depleted the top soils.  Silas’s Block, named after Robert’s father, has incredible concentration and color that are seldom achieved elsewhere with this variety.

Named in honor of Robert’s Uncle who helped Robert save the ranch during the Great Depression, Meek’s Block is adjacent to Silas’s Block and has a similar steep hillside profile. Fruit from the block has excellent fruit concentration and is the main component for the Alexander Valley Estate Merlot.