Jespersen Ranch is located in the San Luis Obispo Coast AVA. The Niner family purchased the land in 2011 from The Blodgett family, who spent years meticulously planting the vineyard with high quality viticulture in mind. The site is just four miles from the Pacific Ocean in the extreme northwest corner of the Edna Valley, and the coastal influence is apparent in the wine.
Edna Valley experiences one of the longest growing seasons in California and is unique in its West to East orientation. This opens up the valley to the wind and the fog from the ocean directly to the West. While most other cool-climate growing regions lie above the marine layer, the Edna Valley is at sea level and Jespersen Ranch is often cloaked with morning fog. The slow, moderate ripening afforded by this climate yields complex flavors and bountiful acidity in our grapes.
The clay loam topsoils are underscored by layers of shale and sandstone which create a well-draining and fertile landscape with high color retention capabilities.
The vineyard is planted to a diverse set of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones, with smaller plantings of Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Grenache and Meunier.
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the stars of this site, where foggy mornings and ocean breezy afternoons produce an ideal climate.
With over twenty years of experience in the industry, Molly has held positions from the vineyard to the cellar. She is responsible for crafting all of the wines from Jespersen Ranch. She has a partner in Patrick Muran, who is our Winemaker responsible for making Heart Hill Vineyard wines.
