Our Monopole Vineyards were carefully selected for their exceptional soil, terroir, and ideal location. Alana, One Sky, and William James, all small-scale and organic, were established exclusively for Three Sticks, ensuring the precise fruit needed to craft our exceptional pinot noir and chardonnay. These remarkable sites yield wines of which we are immensely proud, consistently delivering excellence year after year.
VINEYARD NOTES
Planted in 2013 in what we call the fertile crescent of the Russian River Valley, in a perfectly uniform, rectangular vineyard with the sexiest soil you have ever seen, the William James Vineyard is a 6.5-acre powerhouse for pinot noir. William James has grown in an area known for its agricultural roots. This particular Monopole vineyard is surrounded by farmlands, including the famous Gravenstein apple orchards. A wine lover’s dream. Named after Bill’s first and only son, James, known for his wit, boundless energy, and playfulness, which is utterly contagious. We believe this vintage is James to a tee.
VINTAGE NOTES
The 2021 vintage began with a very dry winter making early irrigation in the vineyards necessary to counteract the lack of rain. With cooler weather around budbreak and flowering, we saw a fair amount of fluctuation in the timing and development of the grapes. This led to highly variable yields at harvest, which kept our winegrowing team on their toes. Harvest got underway on the last day of August and continued throughout September at a steady, methodical pace. Overall, the fruit was quite enticing, with medium to full body and particularly impressive tannin structures on the Pinots.
TASTING NOTES
Vibrant notes of cherry, raspberry, and sage will bring a smile to your face, while a smooth, elegant finish will compel you to share it with others. If you could bottle joy, this is what it would taste like.