# Capitello Pinot Noir Croft Vineyard Designate (2015)

- **Producer:** Capitello Wines
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Oregon, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blueberry, strawberry, ripe fruit

## About this wine

The Capitello Pinot Noir Croft Vineyard Designate is a 2015 vintage from the Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA. Produced by Capitello Wines, it is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes sourced from the Croft Vineyard, located within the Eola-Amity Hills sub-AVA. The Croft Vineyard is certified organic and Salmon Safe, planted with various Pinot Noir clones on Bellpine soils. Winemaker Ray Walsh, originally from New Zealand, founded Capitello Wines with a focus on vineyard expression. The 2015 vintage was notably warm, contributing to ripe fruit characteristics in the wine. This single-vineyard designate highlights the unique terroir of the Croft Vineyard.

## Interesting facts

- Croft Vineyard is certified organic and Salmon Safe.
- The vineyard's Bellpine soil is a silty clay loam.
- Ray Walsh splits his time between Oregon and New Zealand.
- The 2016 vintage of this wine won 'Best in Show Red' at a major festival.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium body and soft tannins complement richer proteins like duck and lamb, while its fruit-forward nature pairs well with earthy mushrooms and savory herbs. Acidity helps cut through the richness of dishes like pork and salmon.

## Wine making process

The Capitello Pinot Noir Croft Vineyard Designate is produced from grapes grown on the organically certified Croft Vineyard in Oregon's Willamette Valley. The vineyard's specific soil type (Bellpine) and elevation contribute to the wine's character. Winemaker Ray Walsh focuses on capturing the essence of the vineyard. While specific vinification details for the 2015 vintage are not publicly available, the general approach for high-quality Pinot Noir involves careful fermentation and aging, often in oak, to develop complexity and structure. The warm 2015 vintage likely influenced the ripeness and fruit profile of the final wine.