Peay Scallop Shelf Pinot Noir 2023

Peay Vineyards is a family owned estate founded in 1996 by brothers Nick and Andy Peay on California’s remote West Sonoma Coast. They planted their first vineyards in 1998, and winemaker Vanessa Wong, Nick’s wife, joined the project in 2001 after working at Peter Michael Winery and several estates in France. Today, Nick manages the vineyards, Vanessa oversees winemaking and Andy handles the business and sales. Their 53 acre estate vineyard lies just four miles from the Pacific Ocean, where persistent fog and cool coastal winds create ideal conditions for producing elegant, aromatic wines with naturally high acidity.

The estate is certified organic, with an emphasis on preserving soil health, biodiversity and the surrounding coastal ecosystem. Rather than tilling, the family maintains healthy soils through careful vineyard management and the application of compost made from grape skins, stems and other winery materials. The vineyard occupies an ancient seabed with relatively nutrient poor marine soils, where scallop and nautilus fossils were discovered during its development. These soils, combined with the cool maritime climate and long growing season, encourage slow ripening and contribute to the wines’ freshness and savory complexity.

The 2023 Scallop Shelf is made entirely from estate grown pinot noir, blending several vineyard blocks rather than representing a single parcel. The cuvée takes its name from the marine fossils found in the vineyard and the elevated shelf overlooking the Gualala River. The blend consists of 44% Pommard, 37% Dijon 777 and 19% Dijon 115 clones, with just 2% whole cluster fermentation. The wine undergoes élevage on its lees for 11 months in French oak barrels, 28% of which are new, with the remainder previously used. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving its natural texture and aromatic complexity. 

The 2023 vintage opens with aromas of dark cherry, raspberry, lavender and delicate spice, accompanied by notes of jasmine tea and forest floor. On the palate, concentrated red fruit is balanced by vibrant acidity, fine tannins and a subtle savory, earthy character. The finish is long and precise, combining the depth of the vintage with the freshness and elegance characteristic of the West Sonoma Coast.