The Soil

Unlike most of its surroundings, Wayfarer vineyard sits on Goldridge soil, the decomposition of an ancient seabed. A combination of sand and loam with a smattering of clay in various blocks, it is a well-draining soil type held in high esteem -- ideal for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes of concentration and distinction. Wine writer Steve Heimoff explains: “As for the soil, ‘Goldridge’ is as serious a buzzword as you’ll find in California wine country. Burgundians may boast of their vaunted Kimmeridgian limestone, Germans of their slate, the Chateauvians of their rounded stones; Sonomans slap the Goldridge trump card down and reach for the chips.” Deep below the Goldridge is a base of sandstone, the soil’s mother rock, which can vary from hard with low porosity to fractured and soft. As our vines delve deeply into the ground in search of water, their roots continue to fracture the sandstone, perpetuating the unique sandy loam.