OUR VINEYARD
At WillaKenzie Estate, diversity of soil, aspect, elevation, slope and vine selection enable us to bottle multiple single-vineyard expressions of Pinot Noir from a single 420-acre estate. Learn more about each neighborhood below.
Kiana
THE SITE
Hawaiian for goddess, Kiana sits atop a gently sloping hill at the southern end of our estate, overlooking our winery building to the north and Terres Basses to the south.
- Elevation: 460 – 570 feet
- Aspect: South-facing
- Soils: Willakenzie soil series: Sedimentary, moderately deep well-drained fine loamy soil derived from colluvium, sandstone, and siltstone (marine origin)
THE VINES
- Varietal: Pinot Noir
- Date planted: 1996
- Clones: 114 & 943
- Schematic: 7.5’ x 5’ spacing with VSP training
SITE EXPRESSION IN THE WINE
Kiana is grown on a gentle south-facing ridge on the southern portion of the WillaKenzie Estate. The terroir here produces a Pinot Noir that offers both lifted red-fruited and savory aromas, moderate structure and balanced acidity.
Terres Basses
THE SITE
French for “low lands,” Terres Basses is the lowest and earliest maturing block on the estate. Its soil structure is markedly different from our other single vineyards with a higher clay content.
- Elevation: 320 – 390 feet
- Aspect: South-west facing
- Soils: Hazelair soil series: Sedimentary, moderately deep poorly-drained silty clay loam soil derived from colluvium over clay (marine origin)
THE VINES
- Varietal: Pinot Noir
- Date planted: 1997
- Clones: 115
- Schematic: 7.5’ x 3’ spacing with single cane VSP training
SITE EXPRESSION IN THE WINE
Terres Basses is the only portion of the Estate that is not planted on Willakenzie soils. The vineyard blocks on this portion of the property are planted on the Hazelair soil series. The terroir here produces a very structural expression of Pinot Noir that offers a complex array of savory and dark-fruited flavors.
Triple Black Slopes
THE SITE
Triple Black Slopes is the steepest vineyard on our estate, with some sections exhibiting a 45-degree slope. The vineyard is comprised of four blocks separated from one another by canyons filled with blackberries and quail.
- Elevation: 500 - 650 feet
- Aspect: South-facing
- Soils: Willakenzie soil series: Sedimentary, moderately deep well-drained fine loamy soil derived from colluvium, sandstone, and siltstone (marine origin)
THE VINES
- Varietal: Pinot Noir
- Date planted: 1999
- Clones: 114, 667, & 777
- Schematic: 7.5’ x 4’ spacing with VSP training
SITE EXPRESSION IN THE WINE
The site’s shallow topsoil, steep angle, south-facing aspect, and clonal selection work in harmony to produce wines of great power, intense fruit and structural tannins.
Emery
THE SITE
Named for our founder’s grandfather, the Emery block is situated near the top of the estate. This site’s topsoil layer is the deepest on the estate, resulting in more vigorous vines.
- Elevation: 600 – 700 feet
- Aspect: gentle SW facing
- Soils: Sedimentary Willakenzie (marine origin)
THE VINES
- Varietal: Pinot Noir
- Date planted: 1998
- Clones: 667, 777, Pommard
- Schematic: 7.5’ x 4’ with a VSP trellis
SITE EXPRESSION IN THE WINE
Emery is grown on the highest elevation ridgeline near the crest of the WillaKenzie Estate. The terroir here produces a very complex Pinot Noir that offers tremendous depth of flavor and fine, silky tannins.
Clairière
THE SITE
Clairière is a colluvial bowl that sits on a cool, well-exposed benchtop near the highest portion of the WillaKenzie Estate. Collecting loose earth material from the north and south ridges, this block has greater soil depth and more vine vigor.
- Elevation: 660 – 690 feet
- Aspect: South-Southeast
- Soils: Sedimentary
THE VINES
- Varietal: Pinot Noir
- Date planted: 2000-2001
- Clones: 667
Aliette
THE SITE
Aliette, named after our founder’s mother, comes from the oldest Pinot planting on the Estate. Set near the top of a ridge on the northern edge of the Estate, the site enjoys cool foggy mornings and extended afternoon sun.
- Elevation: 500 – 600 feet
- Aspect: Gentle SE facing slope
- Soils: Willakenzie soil series: Sedimentary, moderately deep well-drained fine loamy soil derived from colluvium, sandstone, and siltstone (marine origin)
THE VINES
- Varietal: Pinot Noir
- Date planted: 1992
- Clones: Pommard UCD4, Wädenswil 2A
- Schematic: 7.5’ x 5’ spacing with VSP training
SITE EXPRESSION IN THE WINE
Aliette is grown on a gently sloping ridge on the northern portion of the WillaKenzie Estate. The terroir here produces an elegant and finesse-driven Pinot Noir that offers a complex array of red-fruited and savory flavors.