The Le Mistral Vineyard
Visit the Vineyard! October 16, 2010 Feast in the Field. Click here for event information.
TERROIR
Daytime temperatures in Monterey County tend to be quite variable because of the wind. The temperature gradually rises during the day and peaks around 2-3 pm every afternoon. Then the maritime influence of Monterey bay causes the wind to blow inland, and it is not unusal for the air temperature to cool by as much as 20⁰F in less than an hour. The high heat spikes seen in Napa Valley do not normally occur in our Le Mistral Vineyard Vineyard on Wild Horse Road. Typified as a cool-climate vineyard, these late afternoon winds cause sugar production to slow in the maturing grapes, resulting in longer hang-time on the vine and creating complex, peppery flavors in the small berries.
HISTORY
Joseph Phelps, founder of the Napa Valley winery most known for the Bordeaux-style "Insignia," was also a pioneer in California Syrah, producing his first one in 1974 using grapes purchased from the Christian Brothers. He planted some of his own in the Napa Valley and, in the mid-1990s, he also planted Syrah and Grenache on two vineyard parcels on a bench south of King City in Monterey County. Local grape growers farmed the vineyards for over 10 years and in 2008, the Le Mistral Vineyard farmers purchased the vineyard and the Le Mistral brand from Phelps, bringing the production and bottling "back home" to Monterey County.
The name, Le Mistral, comes from the name for the winds of the Rhone Valley in France, where blustery afternoons cool vineyards quickly and produce similar flavors in their native varietals like Syrah and Grenache.
SUSTAINABILITY
Le Mistral strives to be responsible stewards of our environment, including the vineyard and the people who care for it. In an effort to monitor our progress and our impact on the land and surrounding communities, Le Mistral participates in the Positive Points System, sponsored by the Central Coast Vineyard Team. This system helps the wine grower monitor and improve pest control, water conservation, soil conservation, and vineyard health in a way that is sustainable for the land and the people around it. Read more about our sustainability programs.
Below, find a record of our progress reports.
Download PDF: Positive Points System - 2009
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