Gap’s Crown has gained a certain notoriety for Pinot Noir, but really, this is a special site where Chardonnay reaches for the stars. As the most easterly vineyard in the Petaluma Gap, it’s a bit of a chameleon. Fog and wind arrive each morning, making this one of the coolest areas along the Sonoma Coast. But the vineyard sits above (mostly) the fog line so when the warming afternoon sun arrives, it brings plenty of sunshine to kiss the vines.  Gap’s Crown Vineyard is situated directly east of and overlooks the Sangiacomo Vineyard on Roberts Road near Cotati at an elevation of 300-800 feet above sea level. This is an extremely rocky, well-draining site with northwestern exposure, which consistently produces powerful, concentrated Pinot noir and Chardonnay in a New World-style. Its proximity to the Petaluma Gap, from which its name is derived, effectively moderates temperature during warm spells in the summer and fall and enables the crop to hang into late September and October in most vintages.

This tiny vineyard (1.68 acres) is planted to a single clone and can only be described as a labor of love.  MacPhail Wines has a ten-year history with the vineyard, and is the only winery sourcing fruit here.  The Martini clone of Pinot Noir produces distinctive fruit with earthy, herbal notes often described as robust, and just as often as a favorite of Anderson Valley.

The Toulouse Vineyard is located in the heart of Anderson Valley along Highway 128, just 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean and two hours north of the Golden Gate Bridge.  The climate and weather patterns in this region are ideal for Pinot Noir, creating the perfect sugar/acid balance in the grapes.  This vineyard is an important touchstone for MacPhail Wines, as it's one of the first vineyards we sourced from, beginning with the 2002 vintage.

90 Points - Wine Advocate

This tiny vineyard (1.68 acres) is planted to a single clone and can only be described as a labor of love.  MacPhail Wines has a ten-year history with the vineyard, and is the only winery sourcing fruit here.  The Martini clone of Pinot Noir produces distinctive fruit with earthy, herbal notes often described as robust, and just as often as a favorite of Anderson Valley.

Most everyone knows that Jim Pratt is a grower we truly admire, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that when the opportunity for a little Chardonnay from Vine Hill presented itself, it was a run, don’t walk situation. On the edge of Green Valley near Forestville in the Laguna Hills region, legendary vintner neighbors all around this vineyard are just one clue that something very special is happening here.

The Toulouse Vineyard is located in the heart of Anderson Valley along Highway 128, just 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean and two hours north of the Golden Gate Bridge.  The climate and weather patterns in this region are ideal for Pinot Noir, creating the perfect sugar/acid balance in the grapes.  This vineyard is an important touchstone for MacPhail Wines, as it's one of the first vineyards we sourced from, beginning with the 2002 vintage.

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
92 Points - Wine Spectator
92 Points - Wine Advocate