Elk Prairie
The first vineyard under the control of Jewell Wines, Elk Prairie taught Adrian about the potential of Humboldt County Pinot Noir.
2022 Tasting Notes
The 2022 Elk Prairie Vineyard Pinot Noir showcases a vibrant ruby red hue with an aromatic blend of Bing cherries and bright red fruits, enhanced by refreshing notes of orange peel, iodine, and wet stone. These aromas are classic indicators of a cool climate Pinot Noir, offering a fresh and invigorating sensory experience. Flavors on the palate mirror the nose, presenting a medium body with a round mid-palate, concluding with a zippy and intense lingering finish.
Accolades
Vintages
2021
2021 Vintage Notes
The 2022 vintage in Humboldt County presented several challenges, starting with an unusually cold, late winter and early spring. These conditions led to frost issues, significantly impacting vineyards in the region. The most severe loss occurred at Phelps Vineyard, where the entire crop was lost due to high-elevation frost.
Other vineyards, including Elk Prairie, Ryan, and Alderpoint, also experienced reduced yields, with some areas seeing losses of up to 50% or more. This reduction in yield became the defining characteristic of the vintage, a pattern typically observed in years with significant frost events.
After the frost, the weather returned to typical Humboldt County conditions, with a cool spring that delayed canopy growth until late May. A warm-up in late May finally spurred vine development, and the growing season began in earnest. The mid-season weather was mild, with no notable heat waves until late September.
Due to the smaller crop load, harvest occurred earlier than usual. Despite the challenges, the resulting wines are expected to exhibit good concentration and a darker, leaner profile, reflecting the unique conditions of the 2022 vintage.
Winemaking Notes
Planted in 1992 this vineyard is the first Humboldt County source for Joseph Jewell. This vineyard taught Adrian about the potential of Humboldt County Pinot Noir. We’ve been producing from Elk Prairie since 2008 and more recently started farming the vineyard. This is the first vineyard under the control of Jewell Wines. The site is densely planted with a spacing of 5 feet by 4 feet. Located on Fruitland Ridge which separates the main stem and the south forks of the Eel river, the vineyard sits at 1200 feet elevation on a very steep south facing slope. The site is dry farmed.
