Joyce Vineyards 'Submarine Canyon' Pinot Noir, Arroyo Seco, Monterey Co., California 2023

Joyce Wine Company is a family-run estate in Monterey County known for its minimal intervention winemaking and transparent expressions of coastal terroir. ‘Submarine Canyon’ refers to the deep underwater trench just offshore in Monterey Bay, which funnels cool marine air inland and shapes the unique growing conditions of Arroyo Seco.

• WINEMAKER: Russell Joyce

• FARMING: Sustainable

• VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir

• TERROIR: The fruit for this Pinot Noir was harvested from several vineyards (Mission Ranch, Ventana & Gudotti) surrounding their winery in the Arroyo Seco AVA. This AVA is recognized as having the longest growing season in California. Strong daily winds that bring cool fog from the Monterey Bay allow the grapes to spend more time on the vine building flavor, complexity and acidity. Extremely rocky well-drained alluvial soils are the base for creating wines processing freshness & minerality. The combination of sand, granite, and shale loam soils with the ever present marine influence provide the ideal conditions for growing Pinot Noir.

• VINIFICATION: The grapes were mostly de-stemmed with 15% remaining whole clusters. Fermented with 100% ambient yeast at cool temperatures in small opentop temperature controlled tanks.

• AGING: The wine was aged on its lees for 7 months in 100% Neutral French Oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered with 20ppm free SO2.

• TASTING NOTES: Lifted aromas of Plum stone, strawberry fields, wet garden bed, fresh ocean mist. The palate is fresh and inviting, with notes of sun-soaked raspberry, pomegranate, cherry pit, hibiscus and kelp forest.

• FOOD PAIRINGS: Grilled salmon, roast chicken with thyme, duck confit, or lentil salad with walnuts and chèvre