Our Wine

Located northeast of Boonville in the Anderson Valley, the Skycrest Vineyard received its name due to its 2.200-foot elevation along the eastern slopes of Anderson Valley. Planted with Heritage Clone vines in 2011 this Chardonnay resonates with a nervy tension and a roundness on the mid-palate. Aromatically, lemon blossoms, spring peas and limestone leap out of the glass. On the palate, notes of Meyer lemon and Granny Smith apple are complemented by subtle notes of slate on the long finish. Alcohol: 

In our second vintage from this remote site along the cool Sonoma Coast, the 2017 Tidal Break Chardonnay offers aromas of freshly baked pears and grated ginger.  On the palate, this wine bears flavors of fresh lemon balm, dried white tea, and spring peas and are carried through with a resoundingly long finish.

Copain has produced Pinot Noir from this vineyard since 2003, so this wine should be familiar to long-time followers of Copain. From the lower parcel of the Kiser Vineyard in the “deep end” of Anderson Valley, this block is planted in Franciscan sandstone with clay topsoil. Planted entirely to clone 115, the ‘En Bas’ block continues to impress with notes of dried fig, Ranier cherry and cloves with undertones of bramble and hints of forest floor or as the French say, “sous bois’.

Our inaugural release of the Abel Vineyard Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley, planted in the small town of Philo in the “deep end” of Anderson Valley, this young vineyard of Dijon clones has given us a wine that currently expresses tart raspberry, cherry, pennyroyal and orange zest on the nose. Young, yet fine grained tannins are interwoven with a youthful acidity. This wine presents a beautiful structure expressing elegant notes of cherry, pomegranate and clove with light delicate cola notes on the finish. Showing impressively in its youth, this wine is sure to become a favorite. 

Profoundly aromatic with notes of blackberry, fig and California bay, the 2016 Hawks Butte offers an earthy blend of dark fruit, black olive and black pepper notes. Aged entirely in neutral French oak barrels, the Syrah’s varietal characteristics shine without the added weight of new wood flavors and barrel tannin. Whole cluster fermentation allows the wine to obtain additional tannic structure from the stems rather than that of oak barrels, resulting in an aromatically expressive wine with round tannins on the mid palate and a long, smooth finish.

Since their planting in 2008, the vines from this Yorkville Highland site have matured beautifully and consistently produce one of our stand-out Syrah offerings. The nose has sanguine notes along with wet stone, dried cranberry and dried figs. These savory aromatics complement the graphite, lavender and blackberry flavors with hints of tobacco. The finish has firm, rustic tannins with nuances of black currant and camphor. 

The intense aromatics of delicate spice, peach blossom and key lime unwind to a tightly structured core of perfectly ripe yellow fruits and limestone.

Winemaker's Notes: Located northeast of Boonville, the Skycrest vineyard was planted with Heritage Clone vines in 2011.  This Chardonnay is well balanced with bright acid and a broad mid-palate.  An aromatic quality displaying lemon verbena with Golden Delicious apples complimented by subtle notes of slate on the finish.

The 2016 Tidal Break Chardonnay is our newest offering.  Sourced from a remote vineyard along the true Sonoma Coast, Tidal Break is Copain’s first foray to achieve elegant, expressive Chardonnay from this famed region.  Distinct aromas of baked Bosc pear and green apple skin are followed by subtle hints of stone fruits and dried Meyer lemon peel. Flavors of yellow plum and dried apricots are carried through by precise acidity with a long, mineral-driven finish.

Perched 600 feet above sea level,  the ‘En Haut’ parcel of the renowned Kiser vineyard continues to produce some of our most compelling and elegant Pinot Noir.  Located in the northern ‘Deep End’ of Anderson Valley, ‘En Haut’ is planted to the oldest soil profiles in the vineyard with 6 inches of top soil and base soils of decomposed, shale-like sandstone.  The wine showcases high toned aromatics but with the nervy tannin that in time will integrate and enhance the minerality of the wine.

Rich garnet red and concentrated, Kiser “En Haut” is scented with pomegranate, black cherry, cinnamon, clove and violets. 

An enchanting earthy depth, the wine is reminiscent of dried griottes and mulberries with aromatics of dried rose petals and savory bay leaves.

Delicate and structured, with a broad, soft palate and light body. Evocative of the terroir-driven Syrah of the northern Rhône, this wine intrigues and enthralls with layers of exotic spice.

California Bay and dry sage aromatics accent the mineral graphite and dark red and black fruit flavors. The finish has firm, dusty tannins with nuances of forest floor and camphor.

Delicate and structured, with a broad, soft palate and light body. Evocative of the terroir-driven Syrah of the northern Rhône, this wine intrigues and enthralls with layers of exotic spice.

California Bay and dry sage aromatics accent the mineral graphite and dark red and black fruit flavors. The finish has firm, dusty tannins with nuances of forest floor and camphor.

Aromatics of black cherry skins, star anise, and sweet tea leaves. On the palate, flavors of raspberry compote and red currants are met with notes of forest floor and vanilla.

Our 2018 Estate Trousseau pays homage to its French Jura heritage, displaying a soft and elegant texture, similar to Pinot Noir.  The nose is highly aromatic layered with strawberry blossom and floral notes.  The delicate palate is carried through by vibrant orange zest, white strawberry and a lingering finish. 

Floral aromatics of honeysuckle, jasmine, white blossom, and pineapple mix with lively acidity, Fuji Apple and Asian Pear flavors.

Juicy red raspberry, boysenberry fruit with plum blossom, graphite and spice make up the rich palate with bright acidity and plush tannins.

Dynamic and woodsy, this expressive Syrah is deeply concentrated, with brambly dark fruits and expressive notes of violets, eucalyptus, and crushed stone; framed by flavors of savory salted plum. 

Copious fruit that compliments the violet floral accents, this wine is lively, layered and expressive. 

Concentrated black fruit flavors are focused and pure, picking up nuances of graphite and India ink on the finish.

Teeming with compelling minerality, this site-driven Chardonnay is intoxicatingly aromatic; fresh lemon verbena, quince paste, grapefruit and orchard blossoms with lively acidity.

Deep, developed and concentrated fruit, like the commanding solitary redwood that towers above the vineyard, this Pinot Noir is both singular and stunning with a round, silky palate and lingering finish.

Profoundly aromatic with copious red apple, rose petal and California Bay, offering a harmonious potpourri of juicy black currant, roses and granite.