Stanly Ranch Estate
2018 Pinot Noir
Los Carneros
Starmont's Stanly Ranch Estate Vineyard was once part of a Spanish land grant known as Rancho Rincon de Los Carneros. In the late 1800s one of California's wine pioneers, Judge John Stanly, purchased 300 acres and became the first to achieve critical acclaim for Los Carneros wines in 1888. In the 1970s, Louis Martini, the Wente Family and UC Davis conducted groundbreaking clonal trials with Pinot Noir on this site. Today, the property is farmed to the highest standards with an emphasis on quality and sustainability. Winemaker Jeff Crawford has focused on our Los Carneros roots, and this single barrel wine offers an elevated sensory experience: 18 months in barrel allows time for integration, while preserving black cherry and floral notes on the nose and the delicate use of whole-cluster adds black tea aromas and structure on the palate. The Dijon Clone 667 expresses itself with complexity on the nose and a richness and elegance on the palate. This wine demonstrates the incredible potential of Stanly Ranch Pinot Noir.
Winemaker, Starmont Vineyards
It was during his time at UC Davis that Jeff developed a passion for wine. His burgeoning enthusiasm inspired him to take a job as a harvest intern at Gallo after graduation. In 2007, Jeff headed to Napa and joined the Starmont cellar crew. He was quickly promoted to Cellar Master a year later. In 2010, Jeff became Starmont's Assistant Winemaker and in 2014 he was elevated to Winemaker.
Country born: United States
Education: Born in Alaska and raised in Minnesota, Jeff Crawford headed to Hawaii after high school to escape the cold. Fully thawed in 1997, he moved back to the mainland to earn his B.A. in Economics with a Minor in Philosophy from UC Davis.
Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Jeff's vinous perspective has been shaped by his journeys to less-traveled winegrowing locales around the globe including Oregon, Germany and Greece. "I'm constantly trying to expand my wine horizons through travel, reading, education, conversation and tasting. Every so often I actually drink some wine too. I just received my Level 3 WSET Certificate and will continue to take classes and attend seminars in order to sharpen my knowledge and hone my craft."
With Jeff's input, the winery has upgraded its winemaking equipment and implemented new protocols to ensure that the wines are of the highest quality and true to their origins. "In many ways Starmont is a microcosm of the Carneros region," says Jeff. "Our wines are classically balanced and subtle. Structure and evenhandedness are the rule rather than the exception. And, although we are focused on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, we also produce some pretty impressive Merlots and Syrahs."
Starmont Winery & Vineyards is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Starmont Winery & Vineyards Contact: Toni Hunt
2024 © Napa Valley Vintners All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement