The key to wine quality is superior grapes; therefore Capiaux Cellars only produces wines from judiciously selected vineyards. All the vineyards that we purchase grapes from are contracted on a "by-the-acre" rather than a "per-ton" basis. We pay a set fee for the acreage guarantying the grower cash for his crop regardless of the tonnage. This allows us to prune, shoot-thin and drop crop as we see fit.
Garys’ Vineyard
(1 acre contracted)
Following in the success of its parent vineyard (Pisoni), located just eight miles North in the Santa Lucia Highlands this vineyard is a partnership between Gary Pisoni, of Pisoni Vineyard, and Gary Franscioni. The bud wood for Garys' vineyard came from the Pisoni vineyard, which came from a very famous vineyard in Burgundy.
Soil: Sandy Loam
Elevation: 500 feet
Slope: 8%
Clone: Pisoni
Density: 5' x 8'
Year Planted: 1996
Orientation: North-South
Aspect: East Facing
Pisoni Vineyard
(1.14 acres contracted; Camper section, own rooted)
An instant success, this vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands just south of Salinas is producing some amazing wines from an array of top Pinot Noir producers. The bud wood for the Pisoni vineyard came from a very famous vineyard in Burgundy. This vineyard is coming into its prime with age and is producing dark expansive wines with firm structure meant for aging.
Soil: Decomposed Granite, Gravely Loam
Elevation: 1,400 feet
Slope: 15%
Clone: Pisoni
Density: 5' x 8'
Year Planted: 1982
Orientation: North-South
Aspect: East Facing
Wilson Vineyard
(2.3 acres contracted)
Wilson vineyard is located the most Northern part of the Sonoma Coast appellation in the town of Annapolis. The entire vineyard is 2.3 acres, in a heavily forested area and only 3 miles from the coast. Pinot Noir thrives in this cool coastal area. The newer French clone 777 on rootstock 3309 is planted.
Soil: Decomposed Goldridge Sandy Loam
Elevation: 700 feet
Slope: 15-20%
Clone: 777
Density: 5' x 8'
Year Planted: 2001
Orientation: North/West - South/East
Aspect: South Facing
Widdoes Vineyard
(1.86 acres contracted, AXR#1)
The Dutton Ranch’s™ Widdoes vineyard is located between the towns of Graton and Occidental in the Green Valley sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley appellation. The cool temperate growing conditions allow the grapes from this 29 year-old, vertical trained, dry farmed vineyard to ripen slowly and evenly.
Soil: Goldridge Fine Sandy Loam
Elevation: 150 feet
Slope: Midslope of low-lying hillside
Clone: Martini
Density: 6' x 12', 907 vines per acre
Year Planted: 1984
Orientation: North-South
Aspect: East Facing
Starscape Vineyard
(5.16 acres contracted, West Block)
This vineyard is located in the unofficial sub-region known as Middle Reach bordering Mark West Creek in the northern most part of the Russian River appellation. The West Block was planted in 1971 and is one of the oldest known plantings of Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley. Yields are less than one ton per acre.
Soil: Laniger and Yolo Loam
Elevation: 50 feet
Slope: Less than 5%
Clone: Martini
Density: 907 vines per acre
Year Planted: 1971
Orientation: North-South
Aspect: East Facing