Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley AVA
Bien Nacido Vineyard is celebrating 50 years in 2023! Flying Goat Cellars began sourcing grapes from old vines at Bien Nacido Vineyard Block N in 2010. We sourced Martini clone from the original 1973 plantings that came from stock grown by the University of California, Davis, and grow on their own rootstock. In 2013, we also began sourcing clone 115 from Block N. The vineyard had 12 x 7 spacing and vertical shoot positioning (VSP) trellis system. Soil type was Elder loam and Elder shaly loam. Sadly, Block N was pulled out in 2019 due to disease.
The historic Bien Nacido Vineyards is an iconic American vineyard and is said to be “the most vineyard designated vineyard in the world.” In 1969, the Millers, a fifth generation California farming family, purchased two adjacent parcels, which had been part of an original Spanish land grant, and reunited the two as Rancho Tepusquet. In the early 1970’s, premium varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were planted in this cool climate growing region, boasting one of the longest growing seasons in the state. The combination of the terroir of Bien Nacido Vineyards, the people who manage it, and the close relationships they have developed with others in the regional wine industry makes Bien Nacido Vineyards and the Santa Maria region unique in the wine industry. SIP certified!