Our Heritage Vineyards, including Durell, Gap’s Crown, and Walala, are the cornerstone of exceptional pinot noir and chardonnay. These renowned sites have become iconic vineyards in California, showcasing their legacy and greatness. At Three Sticks, amongst select producers, honor their history while forging a path of continued success for future generations crafting beautiful wines.
VINEYARD NOTES
Our 2022 Casteñada Red continues the tradition of honoring Don Juan Casteñada, the first resident of our historic Adobe home built in 1842 and restored by Three Sticks in 2012. This annual tribute is a true field blend of Rhône varieties from our Heritage vineyard, Durell. With over 180 years of history in our hometown, we are delighted to share this vibrant piece of our heritage. This unique bottling is produced in limited quantities and never lasts long, making it a cherished addition to any collection.
VINTAGE NOTES
In 2022, we saw a continuation of the drought in CA, with warm weather, early bloom, and long, slow flowering. Some of our vineyard blocks that flowered during the cold stretch did not set as much fruit as typical, so we saw lower yields for the year. While this isn't ideal from a quantity standpoint, quality was great, and things began moving along quickly. We started harvest in mid-August, a week or two earlier than "normal," and as we approached Labor Day, we saw a heat wave on the horizon. We were in a good spot and could bring in much of our fruit before the heat. The grapes we let hang through the heat were still a ways away from being ready to harvest. In recent years we have been leaving more leaves on the vines to help shade and keep the fruit on the vines from being scorched by the sun. This decision helped us this year in particular. After the heat, temperatures cooled in the region, and we were able to bring in the rest of our fruit in the weeks following. All in all, we are very happy with the quality of this vintage and thankful for our team rallying during this intense time of year.
TASTING NOTES
The 2022 vintage opens with fennel flower, anise seed, and sweet black licorice, followed by aromas of baking spice and muddled raspberries. Notes of cocoa and coffee linger, creating a structured and bright finish.