Get off the beaten path
A wine that’s true to its roots.
Something magical happened when Derek Rohlffs decided to veer onto a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. In a far-flung vineyard with grazing sheep, he happened upon the perfect place to grow Pinot Noir that would push boundaries and defy expectations.
The 2022 Outlier Pinot Noir is a delicious wine produced from a single, organically-farmed vineyard in the upper reaches of Spring Valley, a narrow ravine just east of Clear Lake. The cool micro-climate at Long Valley Ranch allows for the slow ripening that is so critically important when it comes to producing balanced Pinot Noir.
This outlying CCOF-certified vineyard is the only one for miles around. A mix of Pinot Noir vines were established in 2015, including Dijon clones 114, 115, 667, 777, and 943. Long Valley Ranch is off the beaten path but the 10 mile drive up the dirt road leading to the vineyard is worth it—and then some!
With the 2023 vintage of Outlier Pinot Noir, Derek expanded his sourcing to include CCOF-certified City Vineyard located in Mendocino County. City Vineyard is planted to heritage Pommard vines and grapes grown here provide prototypical sous bois and savory complexing notes.
“Dirt roads are a state of mind.”
–Derek Rohlffs
Lake County Vineyard
Mendocino County Vineyard
