Wildcat Mountain Vineyard

Sonoma Coast

Guardians: Nancy and Tony Lilly, Steve Macrostie, and Armando Ceja

Huddled at 600 feet less than a mile from San Pablo Bay, Wildcat Mountain is one of the most extreme climates that we source Syrah from. When I first visited the vineyard I was stunned one could even ripen the grapes in the face of the fog exposure and constant winds.

The vineyard owes its existence to the viticultural daring of longtime Carneros winemaker Steve Macrostie and the venerable Lilly family. In concord with the excellent Armando Ceja, they decided to plant a vineyard to Pinot, Chardonnay, and a touch of Syrah to provide a source of unique fruit for Macrostie Winery.

I am delighted to be on of just three wineries to receive Syrah fruit from this vineyard—Macrostie and Lavoro being the others.