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Clos de La Tech Summary

535 Eastview Way
Woodside ,CA 94062
United States
closdelatech.com

Clos de La Tech Description

Clos de La Tech is a renowned winery located in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. With its picturesque setting and commitment to high-quality winemaking, it has garnered a reputation as one of the premier producers of Pinot Noir in the state. The winery was founded in 1994 by T.J. Rodgers, a passionate wine enthusiast, and technology entrepreneur.

What sets Clos de La Tech apart is its dedication to traditional winemaking methods combined with cutting-edge technology. The winery utilizes a gravity-flow system, allowing for gentle handling of the grapes and minimal intervention during the fermentation process. They also employ a cave system, designed to replicate the natural environment of Burgundy in France, where Pinot Noir thrives. This unique cave system provides ideal conditions for aging the wines, maintaining consistent temperature and humidity levels.

Clos de La Tech's commitment to quality is reflected in their limited production, with focus on small-batch, single-vineyard wines. The winery carefully selects the most suitable vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains, which are known for their diverse microclimates and well-drained soils. By sourcing their grapes from these exceptional vineyards, Clos de La Tech captures the distinct characteristics of each site, resulting in expressive and nuanced wines.

Clos de La Tech's wines have garnered critical acclaim over the years and have been recognized among some of the finest Pinot Noirs produced in California. From their nuanced and complex flagship estate Pinot Noir, Domaine du Docteur Rodgers, to their vineyard-specific bottlings like the "La Côte," which showcases the unique terroir of the coastal region, their wines exhibit elegance and finesse.

Visiting Clos de La Tech is a truly unique experience, offering visitors the opportunity to witness the fusion of Old World winemaking techniques with state-of-the-art technology. The winery welcomes guests for tastings and tours, guiding them through their stunning caves and vineyards while sharing the story behind their exceptional wines. Clos de La Tech stands as a testament to both the art and science of winemaking, producing exceptional Pinot Noir that captures the essence of the Santa Cruz Mountains terroir.

What Makes Clos de La Tech Different From Other Nearby Wineries?

Clos de La Tech, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains region of California, stands apart from other wineries not only in its stunning location but also in its innovative approach to winemaking. What sets Clos de La Tech apart is their unwavering commitment to producing exceptional, highly acclaimed Pinot Noir wines using a combination of traditional winemaking techniques and cutting-edge technology.

One of the unique features of Clos de La Tech is its focus on cool-climate vineyards. The winery's founder, T.J. Rodgers, recognized the potential of the Santa Cruz Mountains to produce world-class Pinot Noir due to its cool, maritime-influenced climate. This region's coastal fog, cool temperatures, and unique geology contribute to the development of grapes with intense flavors, balanced acidity, and complex aromatics.

To fully exploit the potential of this unique terroir, Clos de La Tech employs meticulous viticultural practices. They cultivate their vineyards on steep hillside slopes, which provide optimal sun exposure and drainage. By closely managing each vine, including hand-harvesting and hand-sorting every grape, Clos de La Tech ensures that only the finest fruit reaches the winery.

However, what truly sets Clos de La Tech apart is their state-of-the-art winemaking facility and their use of innovative technology throughout the winemaking process. The winery utilizes a combination of traditional winemaking methods and cutting-edge equipment, including "gravity-flow" winemaking, which minimizes the use of pumps and allows for gentle handling of the grapes during fermentation and aging. This results in wines that are more expressive, complex, and elegant.

Moreover, Clos de La Tech is known for their commitment to perfection. They age their wines in specially designed caves, which provide optimal conditions for aging and maturing. By storing the wines in 100% French oak barrels, they ensure graceful integration of oak flavors without overpowering the delicate nuances of the Pinot Noir grapes.

Additionally, Clos de La Tech's passion for producing exceptional Pinot Noir is reflected in their limited production model. They believe that by focusing on quality over quantity, they can craft wines that truly showcase the unique character of each vintage. With an average production of only a few thousand cases per year, every bottle from Clos de La Tech represents the dedication and mastery of their winemaking team.

In conclusion, Clos de La Tech stands out among California wineries in its commitment to crafting exceptional Pinot Noir wines that reflect the distinctive terroir of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Through their meticulous viticultural practices, cutting-edge technology, and focus on quality, Clos de La Tech has established itself as a benchmark for cool-climate winemaking.

What Some Possible Concerns About Clos de La Tech ?

While Clos de La Tech is highly renowned for its wines and vineyards, there have been a few criticisms raised by visitors and wine enthusiasts. Here are a few common concerns or dislikes expressed about the winery:

1. Limited availability: Clos de La Tech's wines are highly sought after, but their production is quite limited. This limited availability can be frustrating for individuals hoping to purchase or taste their wines, as they often have long waiting lists or allocations that run out quickly.

2. High price point: The wines produced by Clos de La Tech tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum compared to other California wineries. While many wine enthusiasts appreciate the quality justify the cost, others find it prohibitive for everyday consumption.

3. Reservation-only visits: Clos de La Tech operates by appointment only, meaning visitors must secure a reservation in advance to visit the winery. This limited access can be inconvenient for spontaneous visitors or those seeking a more casual wine-tasting experience.

4. Far-off location: The winery is situated in the Santa Cruz Mountains, which can be a significant distance from major cities like San Francisco or Los Angeles. This geographic position can make it challenging for visitors to reach the winery, particularly if they are not already in the area.

Please note that these criticisms may not necessarily reflect the overall consensus or experience of all visitors to Clos de La Tech.

Clos de La Tech History

Clos de La Tech is a renowned winery located in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. Known for its exceptional Pinot Noir wines, Clos de La Tech has gained recognition for its commitment to quality, innovation, and its unique approach to winemaking.

The story of Clos de La Tech begins in the late 1980s when successful entrepreneur T.J. Rodgers, founder of Cypress Semiconductor, decided to pursue his passion for winemaking. Rodgers, along with his wife, Valeta, embarked on a journey to create world-class Pinot Noir that could rival the best wines of Burgundy, France.

The couple acquired their first vineyard, Domaine Valeta, in the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1992. The vineyard's location, sitting at an elevation of over 2,000 feet, offered ideal conditions for growing Pinot Noir grapes. Inspired by the terraced vineyards of Burgundy, Rodgers envisioned creating a vineyard that mimicked this unique terroir, allowing for the production of exceptional wines.

To achieve this, Rodgers initiated an ambitious project to create a gravity-flow winery. This method involves using gravity instead of pumps to handle the movement of grapes and wine during the winemaking process. The concept behind a gravity-flow winery is that it allows for a gentle handling of the grapes, reducing the risk of oxidation and preserving the delicate flavors and aromas.

Construction of Clos de La Tech's winery, known as La Côte Vineyard and Winery, began in 2001 and quickly became a testament to Rodgers' commitment to excellence. The winery was built into a mountainside, featuring three levels that utilize gravity to drive the winemaking process. This unique design allows the grapes to travel seamlessly from high above the vineyard down to the fermentation tanks and ultimately into the barrel room for aging.

Rodgers' attention to detail extended beyond just the winemaking process. He also sought to maintain the integrity of the vineyards by implementing sustainable farming practices. Clos de La Tech embraced organic and biodynamic farming methods, eschewing the use of pesticides and synthetic herbicides. Additionally, the winery implemented advanced technology and scientific analysis to optimize every aspect of the vineyard, from soil composition to water management, ensuring the grapes were of the highest quality.

The commitment to excellence and innovation paid off for Clos de La Tech, as their wines began to gain recognition and critical acclaim. The winery's Pinot Noir offerings, such as their flagship label "Estate" Pinot Noir and the sought-after "Domaine du Docteur Rodgers" bottling, have received high scores from respected wine critics and have earned a place among the top wines in the world.

Clos de La Tech's meticulous approach to winemaking, combined with the unique terroir of the Santa Cruz Mountains, has allowed them to craft wines that capture the essence of the land. Every step of the winemaking process, from vineyard management to fermentation and aging, is carefully executed, ensuring that each bottle represents the best expression of their vision.

Today, Clos de La Tech stands as a testament to T.J. and Valeta Rodgers' unwavering commitment to producing exceptional Pinot Noir wines. Their determination to create a gravity-flow winery and relentless pursuit of quality has established Clos de La Tech as one of California's most respected wineries, perpetuating the legacy of fine winemaking in the Santa Cruz Mountains for generations to come.