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

In the heart of Sonoma County's apple country, our Monopole vineyard, named after Bill's first and only son, is the William James Vineyard. Surrounded by historic Gravenstein apple orchards, this unique setting imparts a distinct terroir to its grapes, resulting in a wine that truly embodies the essence of its origins. 

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

Aromas of candied cherry and pomegranate syrup mingling with allspice and fresh sage energize the palate, embraced by silky tannins and a smooth, lingering finish reminiscent of dark chocolate and a touch of spice. Notes of red currant and warm woodsy undertones add depth, while a hint of rooibos contributes to its intriguing complexity.