Mother Jewell, the family matriarch at the turn of the 20th century, was a figure to be revered. “The Old Girl,” having lived to the age of 94, experienced much in her time. When her husband, Charles Jewell, was away fighting the war, she was greeted one day on her doorstep by two gentlemen asking for a drink. Her intuition was on the money as those men came back the next night to ransack her home. They took many valuables, but weren’t able to find Charles and Thomas’ race winnings hidden in the butter churn.
In California, it is rare to find grape vines that are “own-rooted,” or planted on their own rootstock. Most vines are grafted onto a different rootstock to increase vitality. These old, gnarly vines have stood steadfast and determined for over 50 years producing a finite yield of undeniable quality. True gems Mother Jewell would be proud to be the namesake of.
The 2020 Martini Clone – Old Girls Pinot Noir presents itself with a bright ruby hue and the enticing scent of bing cherry, accompanied by the earthy presence of a mushroom-laden forest floor. Baking spices and orange rind weave a warming, citrusy nuance into the aromatic profile. Softness and length define the silky smooth experience on the palate, with the elegant elements of each flavor leaving a bright, fresh finish.
This single-clone, single-vineyard wine from the Starscape Vineyard in the Russian River Valley is sourced from some of the oldest Pinot Noir vines in all of Sonoma, with these beauties first taking root in 1971. Yielding just one ton of fruit per acre, these vines have provided us with beautiful berries full of complexity, richness, and elegance. Aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels.