Located two ridges in from the Pacific Ocean, near the rural community of Annapolis on the extreme Sonoma Coast, Ellenbach sits above the fog layer at 1000 ft above sea level. An entirely Eastern exposed vineyard, Ellenbach is planted in deep, serpentine soils, a combination of shale and sandstone. Given the cool moderated temperatures, the grapes tend to lend themselves to more austere wines.

Located in the Russian River Appellation, outside the small town of Graton on the way to Sebastopol and from there to Pacific. Planted in deep, serpentine soils, a combination of shale and sandstone that over the centuries has slid down the ridges of the Sonoma Coast and settled in the river valley, the vineyard is situated on a series of rolling swells, with multi-directional exposures at 500 feet of elevation. The Russian River Valley serves as a conduit for the morning fogs from the Pacific tempering the inland heat, often not retreating until early afternoon. Gold Ridge’s inland locale lends itself to creating more mature fruit flavors with more tannic lilt.

As Semper enthusiasts know, we source vineyards that afford us both acidity and ripeness, and the ‘Ulises’ Sonoma Coast vineyard leads the pack. The steep hillside location, combined with thick blanketing fog and breezes that blow in from the Pacific Ocean provide us year in and year out minuscule yields of Chardonnay grapes and almost unimaginable quality potential.