About the Wine

Established in 1982 by founding winemaker Tony Soter, Etude set its sights on the cool-climate Carneros region with a singular focus: producing world-class wines. With a passion for the delicate and transparent nature of Pinot Noir, Soter believed it to be the most appropriate vehicle for studying wine growing. "Pinot Noir is a humbling pursuit," he remarked, "but when it’s right, it is a glorious and moving thing."

In 2000, the Grace Benoist Ranch was developed after an eighteen-year journey to find the most suitable terroir for Etude's Estate vineyards. Here, a remarkable diversity of clonal varieties thrives, including seven Chardonnay clones, nine Heirloom Pinot Noir clones, and eight additional Pinot clones. These meticulously tended vineyard blocks, each with its own unique characteristics, yield fruit of unparalleled quality and concentration.

While rooted in Carneros, Etude explores diverse terroirs beyond California (including some of the best appellations in Napa Valley), sourcing fruit from the Central Coast, Oregon, and even New Zealand.

At Etude, wines are believed to be expressive of their birthplace. That's why the winery is committed to holistic winegrowing practices that respect the native ecosystems and minimize environmental impact. From nurturing the soil to fostering sustainable agriculture, Etude has achieved multiple Sustainable Certifications including: Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Fish Friendly Farming Program, Napa Green Certified Land, Napa Green Certified Winery 

"Etude was founded on the philosophy that winemaking begins in the vineyard long before the harvest and that superior grape growing diminishes the need for intervention by the winemaker, resulting in wine that is grown, not made.” - Jon Priest, Etude Winemaker.  

Jon's journey began at the legendary Wine Cask Company in Santa Barbara, where he refined his palate and passion for wine. Over the years, he honed his craft at esteemed wineries such as Wild Horse, Adelaida Cellars, and Taz, before joining Etude in 2005. 

Since joining Etude, Jon has dedicated himself to crafting memorable wines that reflect their origins with every sip. His leadership has elevated Etude to new heights, solidifying its reputation as a producer of exceptional wines, particularly its revered Pinot Noir.

2019 was a great vintage for this region. Wine Spectator blessed this year with a 95 point review, and said: "A benchmark vintage for California Pinot, with wines showing power, finesse and the structure for cellaring."

Aging: 14 months in French oak barrels

Tasting Notes: 100% Pinot Noir. Harmonious and balanced, with incredible fruit concentration, structure and depth. Deep and sinuous, this Pinot is fully engaging with expressive aromatics of dark red berries, black cherry, red currant and cranberry alongside subtle hints of spice from the well-integrated oak and freshly turned earth minerality. On the palate, the fruit is bright and inviting with jubilant red berries interwoven with hints of hibiscus flowers and warm baking spices. Elegantly balanced with mouthwatering acidity and minerality notes, the wine finishes with a lingering savory-ness and persistent length, delivering more layers and complexity as its enjoyed now and for the years to come.

Reviews

Cherry compote, fresh strawberry and light mint aromas are joyous and hedonistically pleasing on the nose of this bottling. A more powerful herbal edge shows on the palate, where wild thyme gives nuance to that ripe strawberry core. ~93 Wine Enthusiast

Lovely clarity to this, with cranberry, citrus and hibiscus in the nose. Medium-bodied with fine tannins that give the wine a creamy texture and subtle, focused fruit on the finish. Will age well in a elegant way. ~93 James Suckling

Ripe and solidly built but still comes off as lithe and beguiling, featuring a core of gently steeped red and black cherry fruit flavors, which unwind slowly as bergamot, rose water and wood spice notes swirl through. Lovely. Drink now ~93 Wine Spectator

Blended from several blocks of this large vineyard, Etude's 2019 Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard offers up bright cherries and a hint of celery seed. It's medium to full-bodied, tart, taut and mouthwatering, with a silky-textured finish. ~91 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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