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For us, it will always be about the fruit since our first love lies with growing the grapes. We have been growing Pinot Noir at this site since the early 1980’s. Its all we grow.
Carter fruit has gone to Ken Wright Cellars for many years now, and we are proud to have shared with Canary Hill the honor of being one of Ken’s first two vineyard designates under the Panther Creek Label. Since 1990, both vineyards have continued as single vineyard bottlings with Ken Wright, retaining their distinctive tastes over the thirteen years.
In 1990 Domaine Serene Winery began to use the fruit from our Pommard Vines while Ken Wright kept the Wadensvil Clone. In 1999, 2000, and 2001 Domaine Serene made a Carter vineyard designate using the Pommard fruit with Tony Rynders as winemaker. We are very honored to have been associated with Panther Creek and Domaine Serene.
While there are no published ratings for vineyard management, Mark Gould would win top honors if there were.
Beginning with the 2002 vintage, the 3 acre Hillblock Pommard site forms the backbone of our own bottling. The Hillblock is the oldest area of the vineyard and, as our first grape growing experience, holds a particular connection for us. The 2003 harvest gave us big, concentrated fruit which has only been enhanced by Ken Wright’s wine making. Total 2003 production is 500 cases.
 The 2005 growing season began with a dry winter and early spring, followed by soaking rains in March, April and May. A hot, dry July and August were succeeded by cool weather and some rain in late September and early October, enabling development of the tannins needed to fix color and flavor. The grapes were harvested on October 14, at 24.5 degrees Brix with a pH of 3.38.
The 2005 Hillblock is 100% Pommard with deep ruby color and big approachable flavors. Production level is at 600 cases. Ken Wright remains the winemaker, and Mark Gould the vineyard manager.
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