The Mount Carmel vineyard is a steep, south-facing and celestial vineyard
that was planted by Ron Piazza and Paul Albrecht in 1991 in accordance
with a cloistered order of Carmelite nuns. There are currently 15 acres
of pinot noir (clones 667, 2A, 5, 115, 777 and Mount Eden) and 7 acres
of chardonnay (Wente clone). Most of the vines are self-rooted and have
been dry-farmed for years. The vineyard overlooks the Sanford & Benedict
property and is just west of Sea Smoke. The vineyard is brutally influenced
by the marine winds due to its severe elevation and aspect.
Soils are a diverse combination of botella clay, limestone, diatomaceous
earth, calcareous deposits and sandy loam. With the 2005 vintage, this
special site became our monopole and we could not be more excited to
have complete access to this most revered and auspicious site.
