Region: Freestone-Occidental, Sonoma Coast, California

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Producer: Occidental Wines, launched by veteran winemaker Steve Kistler, has ascended rapidly as a benchmark for ultra-premium Pinot Noir from California’s rugged Pacific coast. Situated at the far western edge of the Sonoma Coast AVA, the Freestone-Occidental appellation is among the coldest and most challenging sites for Pinot, yet its marine influence and gold-ridge soils offer exceptional concentration and saline tension. The 2023 Freestone-Occidental bottling continues this legacy—blending several estate vineyards to express the pure, elevated essence of coastal Pinot Noir, while retaining the clarity and precision that the brand embodies.

Vineyard & Winemaking: The 2023 blend gathers fruit from Occidental’s key estate vineyards including Bodega Headlands, Occidental Station, and Bodega Ridge, all perched above the fog line and bedrock of sandstone and marine sediments. Farming is certified sustainable and managed with attention to site and vine health, with each block harvested at night to preserve freshness. In the cellar, only free-run juice is used, fermentation proceeds via indigenous yeasts (including native malolactic), and the wine is aged in French oak barrels with a small percentage of new to add structure without overwhelming site character. The result is an elegant yet powerful coastal Pinot that emphasizes purity, lift, and minerality.

Tasting Notes: The 2023 Freestone-Occidental Pinot Noir opens with a translucent ruby hue and aromas of wild strawberry, tart cherry, and red currant, layered with rose-petal, sea-spray and faint graphite. On the palate it delivers vibrant acidity, sculpted tannins and a core of red-berry fruit balanced by briny mineral and savory herb notes. The finish is long, focused and resounds with coastal clarity—ready to drink now for its refinement yet built with enough structure for graceful development over the next 8-10 years.