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John and Kathe Dyson
The rolling hills of a former cattle ranch outside the town of Hollister in San Benito County are now planted to Pinot Noir. The Dyson's believe this is "a very special area for Pinot Noir and aromatic white wine. John states that the key attributes are climate and soil: a long cool growing season and rock, gravel and pebbles, laced with calcium carbonate lenses and a lot of lime, promoting good drainage. This vineyard continues to deliver exceptional quality Pinot Noir worthy of the Williams Selyem vineyard designation.
Vineyard Bio
Directly east of better-known Monterey County, on the other side of the Gavilan Mountains, San Benito County boasts four recognized AVAs (Cienega Valley, Paicines, Lime Kiln Valley and Mt. Harlan). This complex maze of mountains, canyons and valleys, some running east-west rather than north-south, channels substantial marine influence into San Benito from the Pacific Ocean, only 20-30 miles away. The most attentive care is given to this vineyard to produce stellar Pinot Noir. The restrictive rootstock used ensures the maximum ripeness and flavor development.
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Clones: Bruce, Pommard, Calera and Dijon clones
Rootstock: Restrictive
Topography: Rolling hills
Elevation: 700 ft. – 1000 ft.
Soil Type: Well drained gravelly loams, with severe limestone fractures
Trellising: Smart Dyson and bilateral cordon
Irrigated: Yes
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