Owner: Brian Loring, and his sister, Kimberly Loring
Winery Philosophy: The fruit is everything. What happens in the vineyard determines the quality of the wine.
As a college student, Brian Loring worked in a wine shop in Hollywood, CA. This was where his obsession for Pinot Noir was born. His first experiences with Pinot Noir were from producers like Domaine Dujac, Henri Jayer, and Domaine de la Romanée Conti (DRC) – top growers in the Côte d’Or.
Brian became very excited about California Pinot Noir when he met Norm Beko from Cottonwood Canyon. In 1997, Norm offered to let Brian come learn the wine making process. After checking sugar levels, picking grapes, crushing, punching down, pressing, and filling barrels, he was totally hooked. He ended up making two barrels of Pinot Noir; thus began the Loring Wine Company.
Winery Production: 10,000 (9,000 Pinot Noir, 1,000 Chardonnay) / 9L cases
Winemaker: Brian and Kimberly Loring
Brian Loring's philosophy is that the fruit is everything; what happens in the vineyard determines the quality of the wine. Great grapes picked at the right time equals good wine. When choosing vineyards to buy grapes from, he not only looks for the right soil, micro-climate, and clones, but also a grower with the same dedication to producing great wine.
The vineyards:
Cargasacchi Vineyard - located at the far western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation; soil type is the Botella series, a composition of both clay and loam that has a fairly high calcareous content, which drains well and helps moderate yields; 12 acres are all planted to clone 115 Pinot noir on two different rootstocks - 3309C (low to moderate vigor) and 420A (low vigor).
Clos Pepe Vineyard - located in the Santa Rita Hills area of Santa Barbara County; area where clone 667 comes from is "steep and chunky"; clone 115 from the lower portion of the vineyard.
Durell Vineyard - located in the hills overlooking the town of Sonoma; a 135 acre vineyard, of which Loring Wine Company gets 2 acres; vineyards extend from the southern end of the Sonoma Valley into the western portion of the cool Carneros region; afternoon breezes that slow ripening, producing richer-flavored grapes.
Gary's Vineyard - joint effort between Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni; located in Monterey County, near Soledad, CA; 50 acres, of which Loring Wine Company gets 3acres; the clone planted is the Pisoni clone.
Graham Family Vineyard - lies in a small sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley AVA called Green Valley, which is less than 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean; 14 acres, of which Loring Wine Company gets 2 acres; planted in 2002, it features Pinot noir clones 667, 777, 828, Swan, and Calera.
Keefer Ranch Vineyard - Keefer Ranch is farmed by Marcy Keefer and her son Craig Strehlow. The clones are a nice mixture of Dijon 114, 115, 777, Pommard 5, Mariafeld (23), Wädenswil (2A), Swan and Calera. The vineyard is located in the Russian River Valley's Green Valley appellation; sits near the headwaters of Green Valley Creek and is planted on gentle, well-drained slopes with Goldridge soil; grows 40 acres of Pinot noir and 10 acres of Chardonnay grapes.
Rancho La Vina Vineyard - family owned and operated ranch located on the central coast of California in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA; 2,800 acre property is what remains of the Santa Rosa Land Grant which was purchased in the 1860's; 100 acres of Pinot noir planted in 2001; site features Gazos (moderately deep to bedrock, well drained soils that formed in material weathered from sandstone and shale) clay-loam, Ballard fine sandy-loam, and Sta. Lucia shaly clay-loam soils.
Rosella's Vineyard - owned by Gary Franscioni; located in Monterey County, near Soledad, CA; one acre each of 667, 777, 828, and Pisoni clones.
Sierra Mar Vineyard - Gary Franscioni's new vineyard in Santa Lucia Highlands; south of Gary's vineyard and way up on the hillside.
"Dense and focused on a core of dusty blackberry, wild berry, underbrush and loamy earth notes. The flavors build and gain depth, firming on the finish. Drink now through 2022. — J.L."
"Bright ruby. An explosively perfumed bouquet presents red fruit preserves, incense, minerals and wisteria. Stains the palate with intense raspberry liqueur and floral pastille flavors that are lifted and sharpened by a piquant mineral nuance. Rich but also lively and focused, showing excellent finishing thrust and cling and silky, shapely tannins. This sexy pinot is delicious now but has the depth and balance to age. - Josh Raynolds"
"Shows wonderful purity and a range of flavor, centered on dense blueberry and wild berry notes, with vivid spice and floral aromas. Ends with firm tannins, giving the flavors traction. Drink now through 2022. 400 cases made. –JL"
"A more restrained style from Brian Loring, this conveys aromas of plump blackberry and plums surrounding a line of licorice. The palate is a bit thicker, with black cherry flavors lifted by bergamot-like citrus skins and chopped herbs. - Matt Kettmann"
"The 2013 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard has the expected spice, dried earth and savoriness to go with plenty of raspberry fruit, cigar wrapper and underbrush-like nuances that come through more on the palate. Medium-bodied, forward, supple and with hints of dry tannin, it lacks some mid-palate depth and length, but still has lots to like. - Jeb Dunnuck"
"A big step up and a beautiful 2011 from the Santa Rita Hills, the 2011 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard has a supple, seamless profile that's hard to resist. Exhibiting plenty of sweet cherries, blackberry, spice, toast and hints of licorice, it flows onto the palate with a medium-bodied, rich and textured mouthfeel that keeps you coming back to the glass. Slightly hedonistic, with an upfront feel, it will delight over the coming 4-5 years. Drink now-2018."
