2015 Hirsch ‘Old Vineyard’ Estate Pinot Noir

In 1978, David Hirsch purchased a sheep ranch perched atop the remote ridges of the Sonoma Coast. Two years later, he planted his first three acres of vines on a gently sloping field overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

David was encouraged to plant by his friend and drinking buddy Jim Beauregard, an early viticultural pioneer in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Visiting the property shortly after David purchased it, Jim proclaimed it an ideal site for Pinot Noir, and gifted David with the cuttings for his first vineyard. This planting would later become the source for cuttings to plant many of our other blocks, including Block 8 and much of the East Ridge.

This original 1980s planting is what we later came to call The Old Vineyard. We farmed it with painstaking love and attention for more than 40 years, coaxing tiny yields from those gnarly old vines buffeted by fog and wind from the Pacific Ocean.

Sadly, we finally had to let go of these beautiful old vines, and the vines were torn out after the 2024 harvest. We are now in the process of replanting this iconic site.

Tasting Notes

This is a gamey, savory and compelling wine. It opens with notes of dried sage, green olive and forest floor. On the palate, the wine is concentrated and mouth-filling, with notes of dried cherries, soy and dried meats. Just one barrel produced. An incredibly expressive and singular wine. High percentage of whole cluster. Updated November 2025.