The rugged 321 acre property situated less than two miles from the Pacific Ocean included a ridge top at elevations ranging from 1150 to 1400 feet. Expecting the same foggy weather they had experienced along the coast, the Flowers were excited to discover abundant sunshine on the ridge. However, the overall temperature was still relatively cool due to the property's proximity to the ocean, the cool morning fog below 1000' and the afternoon sea breezes coming over the ridge.
It did not take Walt and Joan long to see that they were standing on a "warm site in a cool climate," the ideal growing conditions for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They purchased the property in 1990 and by 1991 had planted 23 acres on the narrow ridge, long known as Camp Meeting Ridge.
Camp Meeting Ridge represents the heart and soul of Flowers Vineyard & Winery. Since that initial planting of the old Wente clone from the Hyde Vineyard, the estate vineyard has grown to a total of 33 acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir planted on the high, narrow ridge running parallel to the nearby coastline. In June 1997, construction of a gravity-flow winery specifically designed for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production was completed.
Just when the Flowers thought their vineyard and winery were complete, a neighbour presented them with an opportunity to purchase an additional 327 acres. Like Camp Meeting Ridge, the rugged property was less than four kilometers from the Pacific but it had two ridges at elevations ranging from 1400 to 1875 feet. Flowers Ranch, as everyone soon called the property, was also a warm site in a cool climate. Forty-seven acres of Pinot Noir vines were planted from 1998 to 2001. In 2004, two distinct vineyards were recognized as part of Flowers Ranch, the 25 acre Frances Thompson Vineyard and the 22 acre Sea View Ridge Vineyard.
The geographical area in which it is located represents less than 1% of the Sonoma Coast AVA. The immeasurable quality of this tiny region's fruit, however, far exceeds its size.
The distinguishing climatic characteristic of the area is the temperate climate with seasonal extremes. During the growing season, the abundance of sunshine on the ridgetops is moderated by the fog and cooler temperatures of the valleys and coastline below. These conditions create a long, slow growing season that produces wines with deep colour, ripe flavours, fine tannins and crisp acidity.
Today, Flowers Winery produces 15,000 cases of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from its two estate properties, Camp Meeting Ridge and Flowers Ranch, as well as select vineyards in the coolest regions of the Sonoma Coast AVA, which are farmed to Flowers' specifications by their own crews. In addition to direct consumer sales, the wines are sold to fine restaurants and retailers in the US and overseas.
Wine & Spirits magazine has named Flowers Vineyard & Winery as a 2010 Winery of the Year
To quote Matt Kramer's Wine Spectator article "Seven Wines to Try Before, well, You Know" (Nov 30, 2009) "..taste the indisputably original savour of Pinot Noirs from producers such as Flowers, Hirsch and Peay is to marvel at America's Pinot Noir treasures."
Chardonnay 2009 Sonoma Coast
Pinot Noir 2009 Sonoma Coast