THE CRAFTING

All of the Pinot Noir wines produced by Cardwell Hill Cellars are aged for a minimum of ten months in selected French Oak barrels. Under the direction of winemaster Jim Kakacek, blending occurs approximately three weeks before bottling. To impart just the right level of oak, the blend includes wines from both new and used barrels. Further protecting the elegance of the wine, racking is conducted only as necessary to control the amount of oak flavoring.

Kakacek, who joined Cardwell Hills Cellars in 2003, is a graduate of the viticulture and enology program at the University of California, Davis. He calls upon over 20 years of professional experience in the crafting of each year’s offering. Paying tribute to his insights into the nuances of Pinot Noir, many of his wines have earned some of the region’s highest-ranking awards.

   THE PROCESSING