The winery was founded in the 1970s by Nikki and Gabby Hahn, German-Swiss immigrants.
Initially, they planted Cabernet trees and began making wine, but due to the characteristics of this region, which is influenced by the cold currents of the Pacific Ocean and the Monterey Bay, which is filled with cold sea water deep under the sea, in the 1980s they decided to revitalize their abilities in a cooler environment. Replanted into Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
In 1988, Nicky was convinced of the potential of this region and began working to have Santa Lucia Highlands (SLH) certified as an AVA, which was finally achieved in 1995.
Today, Santa Lucia Highlands is widely known as a region famous for producing high-quality wines, especially Pinot Noir.
Today, the Hahn family owns six vineyards in Monterey County, including four 260-hectare fields in SLH and two 184-hectare fields in the Arroyo Seco AVA to the south, for a total of 444 hectares. Masu.
Of this, 140ha is planted to Pinot Noir, making up 12% of SLH's Pinot Noir fields, making it the winery with the largest market share.
It also has the largest variety of clones in the region, currently growing 21 different Pinot Noir varieties.
The combination of diverse soils, climate, amount of sunlight depending on the direction of the slope, and clones makes it possible to create a wonderful Pinot Noir that cannot be imitated anywhere else, and the Pinot Noir expresses the individuality of the terroir of each vineyard. I am.
The growing season in this region is about 25 days longer than in other California grape-growing regions, resulting in grapes that produce concentrated wines with a wealth of flavor, depth, and structure.