| Region of production: | Mount Harlan AVA |
| Winery Location: | Hollister |
| Year Established: | 1974 |
Vineyard Holdings
- Selleck Vineyard (2 ha): A very rocky south-/southwest-facing vineyard on decomposed granite and limestone. Named after Dr. George Selleck, the family friend who introduced Jensen to wine. Planted in 1975.
- Reed Vineyard (1.8 ha): North-/northeast-facing vineyard on deeper clay soils, typically the last to ripen. Planted in 1975.
- Ryan Vineyard (5.3 ha): Calera’s highest vineyard, reaching 2,500 feet on a west-facing slope. Planted in 1998 and 2001.
- Mills Vineyard (5.8 ha): South-facing slopes near Harlan Creek. Planted in 1984.
- de Villiers Vineyard (6.3 ha): Mostly east-facing vineyard between Mills and Jensen. Named for Marq de Villiers, author of The Heartbreak Grape. Planted in 1997.
- Jensen Vineyard (5.6 ha): Four different vineyard blocks with varied exposure. Named after Josh’s father, Stephen. Planted in 1975.
Sourced Vineyards
- Solomon Hills Vineyard: Situated in Santa Barbara County.
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Selleck Vineyard (Mt. Harlan AVA): Inaugural vintage 1978.
- Reed Vineyard (Mt. Harlan AVA): Inaugural vintage 1978.
- Ryan Vineyard (Mt. Harlan AVA): Inaugural vintage 2002.
- Mills Vineyard (Mt. Harlan AVA)
- de Villiers Vineyard (Mt. Harlan AVA): Inaugural vintage 2007.
- Jensen Vineyard (Mt. Harlan AVA): Inaugural vintage 1978.
- Solomon Hills Vineyard (Santa Maria Valley AVA)
- Central Coast (Central Coast AVA)
Average Total Production
- N/A
Summary
Calera is the brainchild of renowned winemaker Josh Jensen. Upon returning in 1971 from working at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Dujac, Josh spent two years searching up and down the California coast for limestone soils. He found the parcel he was seeking on Mount Harlan. The property was once home to a limestone quarry, and the limekiln—or calera in Spanish—remains there today. Josh planted 24 acres of Pinot Noir and in 1975, he produced his first vintage: 1,000 cases of Zinfandel made from purchased grapes. In 1982, he bought 300 adjoining acres, which he continued planting over the next two decades. Calera’s Mount Harlan vineyards are certified organic by CCOF. The Calera clone, also known as FPS 90, was officially recognized by UC Davis Foundation Plant Services (FPS) in 2001, listing the source as Chalone Vineyard in Monterey County, via a vineyard in Chambertin, France. The unofficial story of the clone’s origin, as told by Josh Jensen, is that it came by suitcase from DRC.
Style & Vinification Techniques
After grapes are picked by hand, they are fermented whole cluster with indigenous yeasts in open-top fermentation tanks. Wines spend up to 20 months in 30% new French oak, without racking, before being bottled unfiltered.
Producer Website: Calera