ROSSCIENDA VINEYARD - scmwine/Wineries GitHub Wiki

Rosscienda Vineyard

Field Details
Owner James Douglas Ross
Winemaker Matthew De Silva
Vineyard Manager Nick Pisano
Consultant Prudy Foxx
Address 1172 Redwood Heights Rd, Aptos, CA 95003
Web Site https://www.rossciendavineyard.com/
Vineyard Planted 2015 (Pinot Noir), 2018 (Chardonnay)
First Vintage 2018 (Pinot Noir), 2021 (Chardonnay)
First Estate Production 2023 (built winery barn)
License Issued July 16, 2020
Property 3 acres Pinot Noir, 0.5 acres Chardonnay
Production 400 cases annually
Elevation ~600 feet
AVA Santa Cruz Mountains (Aptos area)

Overview

Estate vineyard and winery about 5 miles inland from Aptos at 600 feet elevation. Named "Rosscienda" (Ross + hacienda) by their architect designing their Spanish hacienda-style home.

Team

Prudy Foxx - Consultant, renowned guru of Santa Cruz Mountains wines. Encouraged the project from the beginning after being impressed by the open, gently sloping, southwest exposure and rich sandy loam soils.

Nick Pisano - Vineyard Manager since day one, complete responsibility for vineyard care and maintenance.

Matthew De Silva - Winemaker. Studied biochemistry and computer science at Cal Poly SLO. Nearly a decade in Paso Robles with J. Lohr and E. & J. Gallo. Relocated to Santa Cruz Mountains to focus on cooler-climate expressions.

Vineyard

Small lot estate vineyard with regenerative, sustainable farming practices:

  • 3 acres Pinot Noir (planted 2015)
  • 0.5 acres Chardonnay (planted 2018)
  • Cover crops and organic mineral supplements
  • Crushed limestone, seaweeds, algae, managed compost
  • Bird support structures, beehives, native plants
  • Mechanical weed control (no chemical herbicides)

Rich, well-drained sandy loam soils. Focus on biodiverse terroir.

Wines

  • Pinot Noir (first vintage 2018)
  • Chardonnay (first vintage 2021)

History

2015: Pinot Noir planted.

2018: Chardonnay planted. First Pinot Noir vintage.

2020: License issued (July 16).

2021: First Chardonnay vintage.

2023: Built winery barn, converted to winegrower/producer retail license, made first wine at Rosscienda.

Neighbors

Near esteemed vineyard neighbors including Storrs, Nicholson, Alfaro, Lester Family, and Windy Oaks.

Sources

  • Rosscienda Vineyard website (archived HTML)
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