Pinot Noir Clone Calera
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
roasted duck, wild mushroom risotto, seared salmon
✨ Technical Specifications
Scheid Vineyards' Clone Calera Pinot Noir is a compelling exploration of clonal variation, showcasing one of California's most legendary heritage selections. The Calera clone carries an air of mystery, rumored to have been smuggled as a suitcase clone from the grand cru vineyards of Burgundy. In Scheid’s estate vineyards in Monterey County, where the chilly maritime winds of the Monterey Bay sweep down the Salinas Valley, this low-yielding clone thrives. It produces small, concentrated berries that yield a wine of remarkable depth, structure, and aromatic complexity. Characterized by dark cherry, plum, and exotic spice notes underpinned by an earthy minerality, this Pinot Noir is aged in French oak barrels to seamlessly integrate its fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity, reflecting both its Burgundian ancestry and its cool-climate California terroir.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1972 by Al Scheid, Scheid Vineyards is a pioneering wine estate nestled in the heart of Monterey County's Salinas Valley in California. Over five decades, the family-owned operation has expanded across twelve distinct estate vineyards, leveraging the dramatic maritime cooling of the Monterey Bay to cultivate diverse grape varieties. Committed to forward-thinking stewardship, the winery is entirely powered by renewable wind energy and follows rigorous certified sustainable farming practices. Scheid Vineyards is celebrated for its diverse portfolio of vibrant white, red, and rosé wines, producing acclaimed varietal bottlings such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Albariño, and Barbera, alongside handcrafted cuvées like the Claret Reserve.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Pinot Noir