Our Wines
Estate Grown Pinot Noir & Syrah
| 93 points for the 2018 Pinot Noir, Wine Enthusiast
“Exceptional.” – Rusty Gaffney, ‘The Prince of Pinot’, in PinotFile about the 2009 Muns Vineyard Pinot Noir. “An ‘outstanding Pinot Noir discovery.” – Christina Waters in the Santa Cruz Weekly about the 2009 Muns Vineyard Pinot Noir. ““From Muns Vineyard comes a spectacular example of Santa Cruz Mountains terroir. This could be one of the top 5 Pinot Noirs I’ve ever tasted.” |
Our Pinot Noir and Syrah reflect the rugged, high elevation terroir of our vineyard, at 2600′ elevation on the Loma Prieta ridge top, the highest vineyard for these winegrapes in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Our Pinot Noirs are characterized by flavors of dark cherry, spice and earthy notes. The tannins are distinctive, provide the structure for a well-balanced wine and bottle aging, and are ameliorated during the winemaking process to result in a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. Each vintage is different, influenced by that year’s climate and the impact of bottle aging (and our wines are made to age), but the basic characteristics can be defined throughout. We currently have available the 2016, 2017 and 2018 vintages; plus limited availability on Library vintages. See the Wine List below.
As well, we make a Rosé of Pinot Noir. The 2022 is currently available for your summer sipping pleasure. Also perfect for the holidays.
Our Syrahs are characterized by rich blackberry balanced with the earthiness of black olive and the meaty character of the Northern Rhone. We currently have available the 2017 and 2018 vintages. See the Wine List below.
The mouthfeel of our wines is a sensory experience with soft and velvety tannins. Tannins and acidity are balanced, with the minerality typical of the Santa Cruz Mountains and our vineyard. Enjoy our high elevation wines from our ‘vineyard in the sky’!
To Order:
- Call Mary at 408-234-2079 and she will take your order
- See The Order page here for more information and the Order Form. Fax the form to 408-317-9305 or scan and email to sales@munsvineyard.com.
The Winemaking:
Our Pinot Noirs are a blend of four Dijon Pinot Noir clones designated for premium dry wine: 114, 115, 667 and 777. In addition, these four clones are planted on three different root stocks. What Bordeaux achieves with blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, we achieve wholly within the Pinot Noir variety, using clone/rootstock combinations which each exhibit unique characteristics. The resulting Pinot Noir “blend” is a complex portfolio of rich color, flavors, aromas and robust structure. At harvest, the crushing operation gently separates berries and stems producing the must that is fermented in chilled stainless steel tanks. Some juice is drawn off and cold-fermented for our Rose‘. After fermentation is complete the juice is gently pressed off to settling tanks, then gravity-fed into oak barrels, 30% of which are new Hungarian oak, with its tight grain that imparts more subtle tannins. As the wine ages in the barrels, for 16-18 months, it is stirred occasionally but no racking is done. This imparts soft tannins that accentuate, but not dominate, the wine. Finally, the wine is gravity-fed into the bottling line so as to minimize “bottle-shock”. This minimal-intervention winemaking style along with the barrel choice supports and highlights the delicate nuances of flavor in the Pinot Noir (and our Syrah) .
Our Syrah is a blend of three different Dijon clones: 383, 470, 525.
Wine List:
Estate Grown Pinot Noir – $44 bottle before discounts
Current Releases:
2020 ~ Tasting notes here
2019 ~ Tasting notes here.
2018 ~ Tasting notes here.
2018 Winemaker Series ~ Winemaker: John Benedetti, Santa Arcangeli.
2017 ~ Tasting notes here.
Library Selections:
~ Experience the alchemy of bottle aging. Limited availability on these vintages.
2016 ~ Tasting notes here.
2015 ~ Sold out. Released Winter, 2019 Tasting notes here.
2014 ~ Limited availability. Released Fall, 2018. Tasting notes here.
2013 Winemaker Series ~ Limited availability. Winemaker: Jim Schultze, Windy Oaks Estate. Aged in premium French oak barrels for 21 months.
2012 ~ Limited availability. 269 cases produced, bottled June 2014. Tasting notes here.
2011 “Classic”. Limited availability. 136 cases bottled Spring 2013 and released Fall 2014. Tasting notes here.
2011 Winemaker Series, Native Yeast Fermentation. Limited availability. Winemaker: Ryan Beauregard, Beauregard Vineyards. 80 cases produced, released November 2012. Tasting notes here.
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Rosé of Pinot Noir – $24/bottle before discounts
2022 60 cases produced, released Summer 2023.
A DRY rosé, with bright, fresh flavors of watermelon, strawberry and tangerine. Juicy and refreshing, with the depth of flavor of the Pinot Noir fruit from which it was made. Delightfully fragrant, floral nose. Hints of cinnamon and spice. Made from the first juice ‘bled’ from the newly harvested Pinot Noir, in the saignée style. Classically European. This wine has a clean, dry crispness associated with classic rosés; a perfect companion for light dishes and picnics. Best served chilled. Perfect for summer fare, including seafood and salads, and has the body to pair well with hearty winter meals. This is a delicious Rosé!
“Crisp and dry, it’s a refreshing delight on a summer’s day—and it’s perfect to pair with picnic fare and appetizers.” – Josie Cowden in Good Times Santa Cruz.
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Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir – $54/bottle before discounts
Our 2010 vintage Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir, Estate, is a dry sparkling wine (Brut) made in the méthode champenoise style. It was harvested at 19 brix in September, 2010 and has the beautiful Rosé color distinctive of a Pinot Noir-based wine. This lovely sparkler is dry and crisp yet with beautiful fruit on the palate. Enjoy a taste of the stars from our vineyard in the sky on the Loma Prieta ridge top. $50, available only direct from Muns Vineyard. Limited availability. Original artwork, ‘Blue Sky Temple’ on the label by W.M. Vinci.
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Estate Grown Syrah – $34/bottle before discounts
2017 ~ Tasting notes here.
2018 ~ Tasting notes here.
2019 Late Harvest ~
“…given time to unwind, opens up to your senses. Dark fruit, oak and earth reflect the grace and strength of this syrah, grown on one of the tallest peaks of the Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking Monterey Bay.” – Stacey Vreeken, Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Pricing
| Our Wines | Price | 10% discount for 4-5 bottles* | 15% discount for 6 bottles* | 25% discount for 12 bottles* |
| 2022 Rosé of Pinot Noir |
$24/bottle | $ /bottle | ||
| 2010 Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir (methode champenoise) |
$54/bottle | $ /bottle | 1 bottle limit, as part of a mixed selection = $ | 1 bottle limit, as part of a mixed selection = $ |
| Estate Pinot Noirs | ||||
| Current Releases: 2017, 2018, 2018WS, 2019, 2020 | $44/bottle | $ /bottle | $ /bottle = $ | $ /bottle = $ |
| Library Selections: : 2012, 2014, 2016 |
$44/bottle | $ /bottle | $ /bottle = $ | $ /bottle = $ |
| Estate Syrah | ||||
| 2017, 2018, 2019 Late Harvest | $34/bottle | $ /bottle | $ /bottle = $ | $ /bottle = $ |
*15% discount for 6 bottles; 25% discount for 12 (mixed selection is okay).
See Wine Club discounts below
Sign up for our Muns Vineyard Wine Club. There is no charge to join the Wine Club, and you save on your purchases, from 20-30%. Enjoy our vineyard tastings with no tasting fee, and we will also waive the fee for two friends (normally $10/person). Wine Club memberships make a wonderful gift – for yourself or the wine lover on your list.
| Our Wines | Wine Club: 4-bottle plan (3x/year) |
Wine Club: 6-bottle plan (quarterly commitment) |
Wine Club: 12-bottle (case) plan (quarterly commitment) |
| Pinot Noir normally $44/bottle | 20% = $ /bottle | 25% = $ /bottle | 30% = $ /bottle |
| Syrah normally $34/bottle | 20% = $/bottle | 25% = $ /bottle | 30% = $ /bottle |
| Rosé of Pinot Noir normally $24/bottle | 20% = $ /bottle | 25% = $ /bottle | 30% = $ /bottle |
| 2010 Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir (methode champenoise) $54/bottle | 20% = $ /bottle | 25% =$ | 30% = $.00 |
– At 4 bottles 3x/year: you get a 20% discount on those shipments and all purchases less than 12 bottles; 25% off case purchases; and 33% off purchases of 3+ cases.
– At 6 bottles quarterly: you get 25% off those shipments and all other purchases; 33% off purchases of 3+ cases.
– Get a case quarterly: you get 30% off that shipment – and all other purchases! 3+ cases get 33% off.
Find the Wine Club form here to sign up.
To Order:
- Call Mary at 408-234-2079 and she will take your order
- Fill out the Order Form and fax to 408-317-9305 or scan and email to sales@munsvineyard.com. You will find the Order Form here (as a downloadable pdf): Order Form
Like many small wineries, we make our wine by custom-crush at a neighboring winery. Through the 2004 vintage our wine was made at Soquel Vineyards by proprietors/winemakers Paul & Peter Bargetto and Jon Morgan. From 2005 onward our wine has been made by winemaker Tony Craig at the Silver Mountain Vineyards winery facility.
We sell about 90% of our Pinot Noir to other wineries that produce a Muns Vineyard-designate wine. Only a small amount is produced under our own label. Muns Vineyard is a small wine label, but our vineyard is a large and significant source of Pinot Noir in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Our Pinot Noir grapes are (or have been) made into premium vineyard-designated wine by:
- Beauregard Vineyards
- Bravium Winery
- Calera*
- Calerrain*
- El Vaquero Winery*
- Left Bend Winery*
- MJA Vineyards
- Rexford Winery
- Sarah’s Vineyard*
- Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards
- Silver Mountain Vineyards
- Sonnet Wine Cellars*
- Soquel Vineyards
- Stockwell Cellars*
- Thomas Fogarty Winery*
- Urban Legend Cellars
- Vine Hill Winery
* 2016, 2017 & 2018 harvests
Prior Pinot Noir Vintages (no longer available):
2013 ~ 110 cases produced. Released Fall 2017. Tasting notes here. Sold out.
2010 ~ 250 cases produced, released September 2013. Tasting notes here. Sold out.
2009 ~ 242 cases produced, released November 2012. Tasting notes here. Sold out.
- “Pleasing aromas of black cherries, red plums and roasted nuts. Delicious mid-weight flavors of dark stone fruits with a subtle riff of spice. The tannins and acidity are nicely balanced and this wine drinks seamlessly. Exceptional.” – Rusty Gaffney, ‘The Prince of Pinot’, in PinotFile
- A favorite of Ken Zinns, Grape Nutz, at the 2013 Pinot Paradise Grand Cruz tasting
- “An ‘outstanding Pinot Noir discovery.” – Christina Waters in the Santa Cruz Weekly about the 2009 Muns Vineyard Pinot Noir. ““From Muns Vineyard comes a spectacular example of Santa Cruz Mountains terroir. This could be one of the top 5 Pinot Noirs I’ve ever tasted.”
- “Consumers looking for a prettier style of pinot should enjoy the 2009 Muns Estate Pinot Noir ($40), with its crushed strawberry, spice and hint of vanilla.”, Laurie Daniels, San Jose Mercury News, April 10, 2013, in this article about Pinot Paradise.
- Gold Medal, Santa Cruz Mountains Professional Wine Tasting, 2013
2008 ~ 165 cases produced, released in May 2011. Tasting notes here Sold out
- 90 points, Richard Jennings, Huffington Post
- Gold Medal, Santa Cruz Mountains Professional Wine Tasting, 2013
2007 ~ 150 cases produced, released in Fall 2009. Tasting notes here. Sold out.
2006 ~ 360 cases produced, released in June 2008. Tasting notes here.
- Gold Medal, Appellation America ‘Best of Appellation’ Award
- “I was wild about the Muns Vineyard 2006 (Pinot Noir)…” – Christina Waters, in Santa Cruz Weekly, March 23, 2011, in an article about a pre-Pinot Paradise tasting.
- 90 points, Richard Jennings, Huffington Post
2005 ~ 180 cases produced, released in March 2007. Tasting notes here. Sold out.
- 91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
- Gold Medal, Appellation America ‘Best of Appellation’ Award
Prior Syrah Vintages (no longer available):
2015 ~ Released Summer 2019 Sold out.
2014 ~ Released Summer, 2018. Sold out.
2013 ~ Released Summer 2017 Sold out.
2012 ~ 98 cases produced, bottled 25 November 2014. Tasting notes here. Sold out.