Andrea and Bob Sartor and their son Matt, dreamed that vineyards could flourish in the cool-climate Garnet Valley. They built a friendship with Allison Moyes, who was the winemaker at Liquidity at the time. Bob would regularly visit Allison in the cellar to learn about all the different Pinot Noir clones. In 2014, the Sartors acquired thirty acres of steep mountainside with well-draining soils at 600m elevation, twenty minutes north of Summerland. The demanding terrain of this place, exemplifies their steadfast dedication to the philosophy of “la lutte raisonee”, meaning the reasoned struggle. This belief is central to their choices in farming and winemaking where corners are never cut. Seven Pinot Noir clones are planted at their estate vineyard: Pommard, Swan, 115, 667, 777, 828, 943. Allison Moyes joined as General Manager and Winemaker in 2021.
There's a quiet confidence at Solvero. A lot of new wineries would charge 2-3x the price for these wines. Solvero is earning their chops, as they thoughtfully go about things the right away – from vineyard to bottle. One thing is for sure: these wines won't be this affordable for long.
In the winery, each block and clone of Pinot Noir were treated independently with gentle destemming to achieve whole berries in the fermenters. With no disease pressure in 2022, General Manager and Winemaker Allison Moyes used 35% whole cluster to bring a density of flavour in the finished wine. The skin contact and temperature of each fermentation was carefully managed before pressing off the finished wine to age for 12 months in French Oak barrels (33% new). For Allison, fermenting and aging each clone separately, in small batches, is an important step in translating the layers of flavour and complexity from this delicate grape variety.
Tasting Note
Solvero’s highly expressive 2022 Pinot Noir offers delicate red fruit (red cherries, raspberry) underneath vanilla, and an earthy undertone of dried herbs and balsamic. A graphite-like line of minerality leads to a long, bright, and complex finish.
Food Pairing
Solvero’s 2022 Pinot Noir is incredibly food friendly and easily steps in as a cranberry sauce enhancement for your roast turkey. Alternatively, a Puy lentil salad with beets and goat cheese will beautifully pair with this Pinot’s savoury delicacy.