I am getting ready for a trip to the west coast and more importantly to the mountain ranges that envelope the precious plots of land responsible for the nepenthe...the elixir that brings solace and soul to our lives. The vineyards!! And of course...there will be feet in the sand. Gotta be! I will be exploring Gap's Crown in the early morning just so I can be surrounded by fog before sunrise. Then I'll be jutting up two hours north of Santa Rosa to a perch high above the ocean in Manchester Ridge. Is there a place where you can actually see the ocean from the grape vines? I don't know but I plan to find out. And if I can...I plan to rename it Utopia. And I may move in with my sleeping bag and a trunk of wine & champagne. 

These two offer distinct microclimates and soils that offer the opportunity for me to expand the portfolio of Site-Specific pinot noirs and syrahs from the region. My answer to, "How many more California pinot noirs do I need?" is this. You absolutely never need more of the same. What you always need is more of what is distinct, delicious and well made. I plan on finding those on this trip.