Ancillary Cellars

About

ancillary cellars is a new collaboration between celebrated Napa Valley vintners mike smith and mark carter. The driving force behind ancillary cellars is a desire to explore cool climate varietals crafted in a uniquely Californian style by showcasing the cool climate subtlety of the Sonoma Coast AVA. We have tried to craft a wine that evokes the layers, complexity and delicacy of Pinot Noir.

Location Description

Located in the heart of sonoma coast, California.

Additional Information

  • Meeting / Conference Facilities:
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Average Bottle Price

$ 50

History

mark carter’s circuitous journey to the napa valley was inspired by a love for the vineyard life and a passion to produce premium california wines. mark hails from the far northern hamlet of eureka where he started his career as a builder, renovating historical victorian homes. a modern day renaissance man, mark’s enthusiasm in food and wine led him to open the carter house inn hotel and restaurant 301, where he built a wine spectator grand award winning wine list and attracted the company of many great winemakers and chefs. it was there where mark met fred schrader and from their friendship and schrader’s tutelage, carter cellars was born. since 1996, carter cellars has produced cabernet sauvignon from the most premium vineyard blocks in the napa valley and has been honored with numerous accolades, none less extraordinary than a 100 points awarded by robert parker for carter cellars 2002 beckstoffer to kalon cabernet sauvignon.

mike smith started his winemaking career under the direction of the talented thomas brown at schrader cellars in 2001. mike put in his years as a cellar rat, traveling from oregon south to the napa valley, while working harvest free of charge to learn his craft. after his 3rd harvest, mike accepted a full-time assistant position from schrader cellars and moved his family to beautiful st. helena. it was during this period that mike was able to articulate his own philosophies on winemaking and cement his reputation for crafting terroir driven wines which allow for the natural characteristics of each vineyard to shine. he continues to make highly regarded wines for a number of successful wineries including carter cellars, myriad, quivet cellars, 12c, scarlett and now, ancillary cellars.

Practices & Techniques

Ancillary cellars is a labor of love born from hands-on winemaking, stellar fruit and premium french oak barrels. our winemaking techniques evolve from the same roots as wine for carter cellars and myriad cellars. great fruit ushered naturally will produce wines true to site and inherent chemistry. we acquire vineyards that express themselves without manipulation and thus produce wines that we adore and also wines that push the envelope for california pinot noir. wide open top fermenters are used to increase the cap to tonnage ratio which extracts all the fruit character and a little more tannin than smaller vessels. new french oak consisting of remond troncais forest, françois frere troncais forest and saury immersion water bent barrels add subtle complexities while framing these elements into finished wines that are immensely and immediately pleasing, but will age gracefully for years in your cellar.

Estate Vineyards / AVA

Sangiacomo Vineyard: like many of california’s greatest vineyards, sangiacomo family vineyards of sonoma county started as a humble fruit orchard before its proprietor vittorio sangiacomo has the wisdom to covert to vines. three generations later the family continues to grow some of california’s best cool climate pinot noir grapes to the appreciation of many successful winemakers. ancillary cellars is honored to harvest pinot noir grapes from roberts road vineyard, one of sangiacomo family vineyards premium sites. bordered on the northern edge by copeland creek, the vines were first planted in 1998 and utilize 14 different clone and rootstock combinations for exceptional quality and balance. this special terroir bridges the gap between the old sonoma riverbed vineyards and its modern hillside approach.

Sun Chase Vineyard: this 40 acre vineyard sits between 900 and 1200 feet on the western slope of sonoma mountain in the desirable petaluma gap region of the sonoma coast ava. utilizing french pinot noir clones, the site benefits from cool pacific breezes and early morning fog in the vineyard, allowing the grapes to fully ripen while retaining fruit acidity and a fresh, vibrant californian style.

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Address

sonoma coast, California
United States

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