| Region of production: | Sonoma Coast AVA |
| Winery Location: | Windsor |
| Year Established: | 1985 |
Vineyard Holdings
- Marcassin Vineyard (8 ha): Two-thirds of the vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir (the rest to Chardonnay), with Swan, Martin, Calera, and Pommard clones. The vineyard reaches up to 1,200 feet in elevation and was planted in 1985.
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Marcassin Vineyard (Sonoma Coast AVA)
- Bessie’s Block (Sonoma Coast AVA): Inaugural vintage 2014.
- Blue Slide Ridge (Sonoma Coast AVA): Last vintage 2007.
- Three Sisters Vineyard (Sonoma Coast AVA): Last vintage 2008.
Average Total Production
- 30,000 bottles
Summary
Helen Turley is considered one of the most influential winemakers in North America. A UC Davis graduate, she has been the consulting winemaker for a long list of clients including Bryant Family, Peter Michael, Colgin, La Jota, Pahlmeyer, and Martinelli and a mentor to well-known winemakers such as Mark Aubert (Aubert Wines) and Ehren Jordan (Failla). In 1985, Helen and her husband John Wetlaufer, a viticulturist, purchased the original 40-acre estate for Marcassin. They debuted their first vintage in 1991. The wines were made at Martinelli for nearly two decades, but production now takes place at their winery in Windsor. In 2010, Marcassin transitioned entirely to estate production.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Helen Turley’s wines, regardless of grape, are full of power and weight, with elevated ripeness and alcohol levels. At Marcassin, vineyard plantings are extremely dense, and yields are equally low. Pinot Noir is completely destemmed and cold soaked for a few days. Fermentations occur naturally, and 100% new French oak is used during the 12-month barrel aging process. The wines, bottled unfined and unfiltered, typically age another four years before release.
Producer Website: Marcassin