Wentworth Vineyard and Ranch was founded by Mark Wentworth and his wife, Katie, in Mendocino County. Both are from New Jersey, though they met in Boonville while Mark was working in the wine business and Katie as a pastry chef; they connected over their shared love of food, wine and nature. Mark and Katie have two estate vineyards in Mendocino that are among the westernmost in the continental U.S.: the Nash Mill Vineyard in the Deep End of Anderson Valley, and the Wentworth Estate Vineyard high on the Mendocino Ridge. Both vineyards are farmed organically with biodynamic practices and are planted to different clones of Pinot Noir with Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner and Blaufränkisch. These vines benefit from their proximity to the Pacific Ocean and create elegant, terroir-driven cool-climate wines. Mark is an avid outdoorsman and conservationist, donating his time and effort to many local environmental groups; he also a proud member of 1% For the Planet, a global movement that helps businesses support environmental solutions through donations and everyday actions.

Wentworth’s flagship Pinot Noir is sourced from the vineyard planted by Mark in 2015. It is a site-specific assemblage of the 12 distinct CA Heritage and Dijon clones which are organically farmed at Wentworth Vineyard. Primary fermentation began with Native yeast and occurred in open top fermenters over the course of two weeks with approximately 15% incorporation of whole clusters. The wine was racked into French oak – 40% new – where it underwent malolactic fermentation and elevage over 10 months prior to being racked into tank before bottling. This dazzling Pinot Noir exudes purity and energetic layers of ripe coastal mountain fruit flavors with well-integrated tannins and a pleasingly long finish.