History
Sebastopol native John Dierke planted the hillside in 2006 on ground that had long grown apples, within a diversified family farm of orchards, gardens, hay and cattle. Since 2008 the fruit has gone exclusively to Eric Sussman's Radio-Coteau, whose Dierke Pinot Noir and Dusty Lane Syrah are the only wines the site has ever made.
The Site
The vineyard sits just off Bodega Highway in the coastal fog belt west of Sebastopol, on classic Goldridge sandy loam. The farm is CCOF certified organic, worked by the Dierke family across three generations.
Vines and Blocks
Pinot Noir from Mt. Eden and 828 selections, with a separate Syrah planting that Radio-Coteau bottles as Dusty Lane.
The Wines
Radio-Coteau's Dierke Pinot Noir, released unfined and unfiltered, shows the west county's cool signature: high-toned red fruit and fine acidity off organic ground a single grower has farmed from the first vine.