Site: “Pedregal” means a rocky place in Spanish, and that is certainly a distinguishing feature of the site. This is a small, hillside vineyard on the lower slopes of eastern Oakville that is planted to 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot. In 2008, we agreed to a long-term lease of this vineyard giving us complete control even through change in ownership. Soil: Iron-rich red soil, 85% basalt rock Clonal Selection: The Cabernet Sauvignon is Clone 7. The Petit Verdot is Sterling selection. Planted: The Cabernet Sauvignon was planted on St. George and 110R rootstock with 4'x8' spacing in 1990. The Petit Verdot was planted on 110R rootstock with 4'x6' spacing in 1993.
B-Block planted in 2001. Located north of the Carneros Highway, 2 ¾ miles west of Hyde Vineyard, the terrain here is more rolling than that of Hyde, the soil lighter and more friable. Clones: Wente selection.
Hyde Vineyard is situated on gently rolling slopes of the Carneros appellation, on the Napa side. The soils are quite heavy Haire Clay Loam about 30 inches deep with impenetrable clay subsoil which limits vine vigor and crop yield. Summer temperatures are kept relatively cool by marine air flowing through the Petaluma Gap. Ancient creek beds provide drainage and add a scattering of rocks. The Ramey Wine Cellars blocks of Chardonnay were planted between 1980 and 1999 and are Wente, Robert Young and Long field selections. Clones: Wente, Robert Young and Long
