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Donnie & Linden Schatzberg
Precious Mountain grapes are also some of Williams Selyem’s most precious grapes. The vineyard is named after the owners, whose German last name of Schatzberg may be translated as precious mountain. Their high ridge top vineyard is just that. The Schatzbergs have been growing Pinot Noir for Williams Selyem since 1996.
Vineyard Bio
Donnie and Linden homesteaded the land for the vineyard 35 years ago. They have planted grapevines, a few at a time, for 32 years. At an altitude of 1400 feet the vines are quite stressed and because of the altitude take a long time to ripen. Although vineyard yields tend to be low (around one ton an acre), the tiny clusters have exceptional flavors. Donnie continuously experiments with rootstock and clones, and some of the vines grow on their own roots, an unusual return to basics. Pinot Noir is the principal grape of Precious Mountain.
Personal Bio
Donnie Schatzberg graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz in 1967. He learned farming techniques while in India with the Peace Corps and is dedicated to sustainable and organic farming practices.
The Schatzbergs, Donnie and wife Linden, homesteaded 40 acres on ridge top 35 years ago. Donnie believed that grapes were an appropriate cash crop for dry farming and he was right. There are now 5+ acres planted to Pinot Noir and over 100 fruit and nut trees. When they bought the land, Donnie and Linden set about restoring the natural setting. Today, their homestead is run by solar power and the trees sing gently when the wind sweeps in off the ocean. A sycamore tree they planted in the early years now shades their home and a kitchen garden is planted on the level ground.
Donnie and Linden have four children, son Roland and daughters Sarah, Deborah and Luba, and six grandchildren.
Organically grown, dry farmed vineyards, using sustainable practices, no tilling of soil, only mowing of subterranean clover cover crop. Spring water is used only for the first three years, no disrupting of natural waterways or aquifers by pumping from wells. No pesticides are used and only a few hundred vines are planted each year to minimize the impact on the environment.
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Clones: The clones vary. Since 1996, Pommard has been planted exclusively.
Rootstock: St. George, AXR-1, 110 and the plants own roots
# of acres: 5+ acres
Positioning: Varies with terrain
Topography: Ridge top
Elevation: 1400 feet
Soil Type: Clay loam, boomer/sobrante
Trellising: Bilateral cordon
Irrigated: No
Cover Crop: Subterranean clover mixture
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