On the windy road linking Ukiah and Philo, logger trucks haul their loads from a still verdant coastal forest. The sky is active with circling raptors. Such expanse of unspoiled land and sky distinguishes this wine country from its cousins to the south. Here, there is a thrilling sense of “wilderness.”

Meandering down into Mendocino’s Anderson Valley, the temperature plummets. This after all, is Roederer country—home to barely ripe Chardonnay and Pinot Noir destined for California’s finest sparking wines. The Anderson Valley is cooler than both the Russian River Valley and the Santa Maria Valley—two appellations regarded for cool climate growing.

The Klindt Vineyard---10 acres planted mostly to Pinot Noir---is perched on a hillside overlooking two of region’s most exalted sites: Hein Family Vineyard and Savoy. One might postulate that it is better situated than its neighbors below. It sits at 400 feet in elevation and 17 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The heavy clay loam soils, facing south by southwest, are replete with fractured rock.

There is a diverse selection of clonal material in the vineyard, including clones 667, 113, 115, 777 as well as some Pommard. Provided Pinot clones are well-suited to their host climate (in this case, they are), a diverse selection of them will produce heightened complexity in the ensuing wine.

Bob Klindt has what we call a “fringe site” or one that lays on the edge of viable grape growing. Just one ridge to the west, the ambient temperature is too cold to reliably produce ripe grapes. We covet this, knowing that vines pushed to their absolute limits will produce compelling wine.