Dec 30, 2022
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Land of Promise
| Owner(s) | Charles Karren, Diana Karren |
| Web site | www.landofpromisewine.com |
| Link to this site |
Wines from the family owned vineyard, Terra de Promissio. Terra de Promissio had its first harvest in 2005 and sold to three wineries. After years of growing grapes for multiple premium wineries including Domaine Della, Dutcher Crossing, Hanzell, Kesner, Kistler, Kosta Browne, Lynmar, Notre Vin, Senses, Soliste, Spell, Whetstone and Williams Selyem, a new brand was launched with the 2013 vintage.
The name, Land of Promise, is a story of the family owners, immigrants pursuing the American dream. Charles and Diana Karren were both born, have lived, and worked overseas. They used their life savings in 1999 to buy ranch land outside of Petaluma, obtained a vineyard loan, and financed the planting of 32 acres (115 and 777). Then they ran out of money. With the last dollars, they bought a tractor and used house trailer and brought Diana's parents and Diana's sister over from Russian to help manage the newly planted vineyard. Eventually, they converted a barn on the property into a home and moved to the vineyard full time. In 2012 and 2013, the family planted additional Pinot Noir (943, 97 and Calera) bringing Terra de Promissio acreage to 50 acres.
In 2015, the eleventh harvest, they sold grapes to 13 wineries. Every row and block is custom farmed per each of the winemaker's specific instructions. All of the family contribute to managing the vineyard on a day-to-day basis.
Diana Karren oversees the making of the wine which is vinified in small lots using native fermentation, hand punch downs, and without fining and filtering.
The wine is sold through a mailing list.
Articles About Land of Promise
Reviewed Wines
2016 Land of Promise Terra de Promissio Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $75
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Intoxicating aromas of spiced black cherry, ripe strawberry,
cardamom spice and toasty oak. Plenty of nuance on the palate with mid-weight plus flavors of black cherry,
dark raspberry, blackberry, spice, and truffle. The rich fruit sap that saturates the mid-palate and elevates the
finish in length, veers to the very ripe side. There is noticeable barrel infusion which may appeal depending on
one’s preference.
Score: 93.
Reviewed August 1, 2021
ARTICLE »
2013 Land of Promise Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $75. Native yeast fermentation, aged 15
months in 60% new French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in
the glass. Lovely aromas of earth-kissed black cherry and blackberry fruits with oak-driven notes of vanilla and
dark chocolate. A bold and ripe expression of Pinot Noir with full-bodied flavors of black cherry, plum,
blackberry, dark chocolate and a hint of prune. The polished texture is quite seductive and the tannins are well
matched to the sappy fruit. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the
wine remained noticeably silky in texture and the black fruited finish was impressive.
Score: 90.
Reviewed April 2, 2016
ARTICLE »
2016 Land of Promise Terra de Promissio Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $75 · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Intoxicating aromas of spiced black cherry, ripe strawberry, cardamom spice and toasty oak. Plenty of nuance on the palate with mid-weight plus flavors of black cherry, dark raspberry, blackberry, spice, and truffle. The rich fruit sap that saturates the mid-palate and elevates the finish in length, veers to the very ripe side. There is noticeable barrel infusion which may appeal depending on one’s preference. Score: 93. Reviewed August 1, 2021 ARTICLE »
2013 Land of Promise Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $75. Native yeast fermentation, aged 15 months in 60% new French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of earth-kissed black cherry and blackberry fruits with oak-driven notes of vanilla and dark chocolate. A bold and ripe expression of Pinot Noir with full-bodied flavors of black cherry, plum, blackberry, dark chocolate and a hint of prune. The polished texture is quite seductive and the tannins are well matched to the sappy fruit. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine remained noticeably silky in texture and the black fruited finish was impressive. Score: 90. Reviewed April 2, 2016 ARTICLE »