Toboni Vineyard, Russian River Valley

Pinot Noir

Joe and Mary Toboni and their family own a 15-acre Pinot Noir vineyard near the intersection of Olivet Lane and River Road, in the heart of Russian River Valley. Fourth generation San Franciscans, the Toboni family has ties to Sonoma County going back to the 1920s.

The beautiful, sloped vineyard matches great soils (loamy clay with some mineral and gravel composites) with proper rootstock (101-14) and French clones of Dijon 115, 667, 777, and Pommard 5. These 4 clones of Pinot Noir were planted to individual blocks, based on soil composition, to maximize the warm days and cool nights we experience in the Russian River Valley. Trellising is a vertical system with narrow row spacing of 6 x 5, or six feet between rows and five feet between each vine. This spacing makes farming a little tricky and labor intensive but it is based on modern farming techniques for Pinot Noir where tighter spacing and more pruning has proven to produce the grapes with the complex flavors and intensity that winemakers look for for. The vineyard's micro- climate allows for a nice mix of classic Pommard clone and the newer Dijon clones which tend to favor a cooler climate of the Russian River Valley. The wines produced from this vineyard tend to show dark, rich fruit flavors balanced by wonderful structure and bright acidity.

The Toboni family has taken on the daunting task of nurturing this vineyard in a way that would ultimately honor this wonderful appellation in a world class way. “We are proud to farm this incredible land and to support Arista’s goal of producing the ultimate Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley,” says Joe.