Bien Nacido Vineyards – ‘Well Born’ Pinot Noir
December 19, 2008
Many Foggy Bridge fans have been enamored by our Bien Nacido Vineyards Pinot Noir and have inquired about the origin of this Santa Maria vineyard. We believe this is a special site – ideal for cool-climate Pinot Noir – and want to share with our readers its long multi-generational history.
In 1837, Juan Bautista Alvarado (then Governor of Alta California) granted two leagues of land (approximately 9,000 acres) to Tomas Olivera. The land ranged from the Santa Maria Mesa up to the San Rafael Mountains and was bordered by the Sisquoc and Cuyama Rivers. The nearby Tepusquet Creek (translated as ‘fishing for trout’ by the Chumash Indians) provided irrigation.
Tomas Olivera sold Tepusquet Ranch to his daughter Martina and his son-in-law Don Juan Pacifico Ontiveros in 1855, where they raised horses, cattle, sheep, grain and grapes for the production of wine. Over time, the land was divided among heirs until only 1,400 acres remained surrounding the Onitveros Adobe.
In 1969, Steve and Bob Miller (fourth generation members of a California farming family) purchased the property, as well as an adjacent parcel that was part of the original land grant. Rancho Tepusquet now comprised over 2,000 acres.
In the 1970s, the Millers began to realize that the soil and climate of the ranch were ideal for growing grapes and soon after planted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Merlot. They coined the 600 acres of vineyard land ‘Bien Nacido Vineyards of Rancho Tepusquet.’ The name ‘Bien Nacido’ means ‘well born.’
Bien Nacido Vineyards has now grown to 900 acres and is primarily planted to Chardonnay (300 acres), Pinot Noir (250 acres) and to Pinot Blanc, Syrah and Merlot. It is classified as a maritime-influenced desert, with morning fog cover and afternoon breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean. The soils consist of sand, chalk and marine loam that provide good drainage, and the climate provides even temperatures with very little rainfall.
Bien Nacido is also one of the major viticultural nurseries in California for certified varietal budwood, and unlike most vineyards, was planted as a nursery rather than a vineyard back in the early 1970s. This rare practice has ensured that Bien Nacido vines are certified virus free. In fact, most of the Chardonnay planted in California in the last twenty years began as Bien Nacido cuttings.
Other quality producers of Bien Nacido wines include: Qupe Winery, Au Bon Climat Winery, Tantara Winery, Lane Tanner Wines, Ojai Vineyard, Byron Winery and Sine Qua Non Winery.
Foggy Bridge Winery began sourcing Pinot Noir from Bien Nacido in 2005 and produced a small amount (just 48 cases) from this vintage. Sourcing expanded a bit with the 2006 vintage, which produced about 400 cases. Winemaker Daryl Groom makes this Pinot Noir at Central Coast Wine Services, also owned and operated by the Miller family and home to several Central Coast boutique wine producers.
Posted in Uncategorized, Vineyards, Winemaking
