Dec 30, 2022
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Longboard Vineyards
| Owner(s) | Oded Shakked |
| Web site | www.longboardvineyards.com |
| Link to this site |
This unique winery has the motto, “wine, waves and soul.” Surfer, winegrower and winemaker Oded Shakked was the original co-owner with Robert Watkins and Bruce Lundquist, but became the sole owner. Shakked was formerly the winemaker at J Winery and Vineyards, leaving in 2005 to pursue winemaking on a smaller scale. The label has actually been producing wines since 1998, but the 2006 vintage is the first for a Pinot Noir. Grapes are sourced from the O’Neil Vineyard and Wohler Bridge Vineyard, both in the Russian River Valley. The Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is a consistent winner.
Longboard Vineyards has a fun tasting room a few blocks off of the plaza in Healdsburg at 5 Fitch St. There is a redwood surfboard bar and a plasma television showing surf videos. Wines are sold on the website. 707-433-3473.
Articles About Longboard Vineyards
Sips of California Pinot Noir (9.26 6/23/2013)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (9.41 5/15/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted Wines (10.50 3/8/2017)
Small Sips of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (8.11 2/15/2010)
Tasting Pinot with Plenty of Noir (9.9 7/21/2012)
Wineries in Anderson Valley and Mendocino Ridge* (6.60 6/9/2008)
Reviewed Wines
2015 Longboard Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.61, 714 cases, $39.
Clones 115, 667, 777 and Pommard. 3-day cold soak, open-top fermentation, aged 12 months in French oak
barrels, 30% new.
·
Dark reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, vanilla and root beer
lead off. Rather lush and intensely fruity, featuring flavors of very ripe dark raspberry, boysenberry and
blackberry complimented with oak-driven notes of vanilla and nuts. Energetic, but supportive tannins, with a
consuming, fruit-driven finish. Quite a contrast from the 2014 vintage of this wine that has considerably more
ripeness, sap and grip and less Russian River Valley in character.
Score: 88.
Reviewed March 6, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Longboard Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.61, TA 0.64, 581 cases, $39.
Clones 115, 667, 777 and Pommard. 3-day cold soak, open-top fermentation, aged 12 months in French oak
barrels, 30% new.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Elevating aromas of Bing cherry, blueberry and
oak spice lead to a mid weight styled wine with a core of fresh red cherry and berry fruits offering good
vibrancy. The silky tannins make for forward drinking. A thread of citrus plies the background and shows up on
the slightly tart finish.
Score: 89.
Reviewed March 6, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Longboard Vineyards Mystos Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.62, 108 cases, $55. The owners of the
vineyard do not want their name on the bottle but the grapes are from a
Russian River Valley hillside vineyard. Mystos is the name of a popular
surf spot on the Sonoma Coast known only to locals. Rochioli selection.
3-day cold soak, open-top fermentation, aged 12 months in French oak
barrels, 33% new.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Enticing
marriage of Bing cherry and blackberry fruit aromas with barrel input.
Eye-opening, mid weight core of earth-kissed boysenberry and
blackberry flavors. The silky and polished mouthfeel is tres Pinot, the
tannins are integrated, and the juicy and lengthy purple berry driven
finish is glorious. When tasted the following day from a previously
opened and re-corked bottle, the fruit seemed noticeably more ripe, but otherwise this wine was a stellar
offering.
Score: 92.
Reviewed March 6, 2017
ARTICLE »
2012 Longboard Flying Rooster Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.65, 116 cases, $48.
This vineyard is located in the Petaluma Gap. Grapes are 100% de-stemmed but not crushed and allowed to
cold soak for 3 days. Indigenous fermentation. Aged 15 months in French oak and bottled unfined.
·
Moderately
dark reddish purple color in the glass. Subdued nose initially, opening slowly in the glass to offer scents of ripe
dark berries and oak cask. Layers of interesting flavor including black cherry, pomegranate, dark raspberry
and tobacco. Admirable harmony with balanced tannins and a lip-smacking finish with good intensity and
length.
Score: 90.
Reviewed May 15, 2014
ARTICLE »
2012 Longboard Mysto’s Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH
3.58, 112 cases, $56. From a vineyard near Westside Road, the exact location
and owners remains a secret. Mystos is also the name of a surf spot known
only to the locals who surf the Sonoma Coast and the winery principals won’t tell
you where that is either. Indigenous yeast fermentation, aged 16 months in
French oak.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry
cobbler, Asian spice, anise and vanilla lead to a delicious core of Bing cherry
fruit accented with notes of strawberry, exotic spice and vanilla pastry cream.
The fruit is strikingly fresh and juicy, bringing the drinker to attention, and is back
by zippy acidity that is unusual for the Russian River Valley, showing up as a
refreshing cut on the bright and intense cherry-themed finish.
Score: 92.
Reviewed May 15, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 Longboard Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $33. 100% de-stemmed, 3-day
cold soak, aged on the lees in 30% new French oak barrels until late spring. The wines are racked and
blended in the spring and aged another 6 months in barrels before bottling in late fall.
·
Moderate reddish-purple
hue in the glass. The nose unfolds slowly over time in the glass, releasing aromas of dark cherries,
raspberries, cranberries and toasty oak. Moderately rich and juicy with very ripe cherry flavor emerging over
time accented with mocha and cola, showing a bit of tarry oak in the background. The plentiful tannin and oak
needs time to integrate. Tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the fruit
profile veered quite noticeably to the ripe side. Good.
Reviewed June 23, 2013
ARTICLE »
2010 Longboard Vineyards Flying Rooster Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $42. From a vineyard located in the Petaluma Gap region of
the Sonoma Coast. 100% de-stemmed, 3-day cold soak, aged in French oak.
·
Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of fresh cherry pie
glaze, red berries and forest floor, becoming more intense and pleasing over
time in the glass. Middleweight flavors of perfectly ripe cherries and raspberries
with complimentary notes of spice and tea, finishing long with a good cut of
acidity. Very supple tannins make for easy drinking. Read to go now. Very
good.
Reviewed July 23, 2012
ARTICLE »
2008 Longboard Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 1,450 cases, $33. Sourced from
O’Neel, Ledbetter, Rochioli and Webber vineyards. Aged in 35% new French oak.
·
Moderately light reddish-
purple color in the glass. Deeply fragrant initially with aromas of Bing cherries and baking spice, developing
scents of sous-bois and stem over time in the glass. Medium weight core of black cherry flavor with hints of
cola and tar robed in soft, supple tannins. Decent.
Reviewed July 23, 2012
ARTICLE »
2007 Longboard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 700 cases, $27.
·
Scents and flavors of ripe, roasted fruits with raisin overtones. Very smooth and
soft in the mouth with silky tannins. Decent.
Reviewed February 15, 2010
ARTICLE »
2006 Longboard Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 1053
cases, $28. This unique winery has the motto, “wine, waves and soul.” Surfer,
winegrower and winemaker Oded Shakked is the co-owner with Robert Watkins
and Bruce Lundquist. Shakked was formerly the winemaker at J Winery and
Vineyards. He left in 2005 to start his own label and downsized to a production
level of 10,000 cases. The label has actually been producing wines since 1998,
but the 2006 vintage is the first for a Pinot Noir. Grapes are sourced from the
O’Neil Vineyard and Wohler Bridge Vineyard, both in the Russian River Valley.
·
Confected cherries and cola dominate the aromas. Elegant in style, the flavors echo
the aromas. The finish is pleasing with fine-grained, slightly drying tannins.
Reviewed December 16, 2007
ARTICLE »
2015 Longboard Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.61, 714 cases, $39. Clones 115, 667, 777 and Pommard. 3-day cold soak, open-top fermentation, aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, vanilla and root beer lead off. Rather lush and intensely fruity, featuring flavors of very ripe dark raspberry, boysenberry and blackberry complimented with oak-driven notes of vanilla and nuts. Energetic, but supportive tannins, with a consuming, fruit-driven finish. Quite a contrast from the 2014 vintage of this wine that has considerably more ripeness, sap and grip and less Russian River Valley in character. Score: 88. Reviewed March 6, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Longboard Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.61, TA 0.64, 581 cases, $39. Clones 115, 667, 777 and Pommard. 3-day cold soak, open-top fermentation, aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Elevating aromas of Bing cherry, blueberry and oak spice lead to a mid weight styled wine with a core of fresh red cherry and berry fruits offering good vibrancy. The silky tannins make for forward drinking. A thread of citrus plies the background and shows up on the slightly tart finish. Score: 89. Reviewed March 6, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Longboard Vineyards Mystos Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.62, 108 cases, $55. The owners of the vineyard do not want their name on the bottle but the grapes are from a Russian River Valley hillside vineyard. Mystos is the name of a popular surf spot on the Sonoma Coast known only to locals. Rochioli selection. 3-day cold soak, open-top fermentation, aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 33% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Enticing marriage of Bing cherry and blackberry fruit aromas with barrel input. Eye-opening, mid weight core of earth-kissed boysenberry and blackberry flavors. The silky and polished mouthfeel is tres Pinot, the tannins are integrated, and the juicy and lengthy purple berry driven finish is glorious. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the fruit seemed noticeably more ripe, but otherwise this wine was a stellar offering. Score: 92. Reviewed March 6, 2017 ARTICLE »
2012 Longboard Flying Rooster Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.65, 116 cases, $48. This vineyard is located in the Petaluma Gap. Grapes are 100% de-stemmed but not crushed and allowed to cold soak for 3 days. Indigenous fermentation. Aged 15 months in French oak and bottled unfined. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Subdued nose initially, opening slowly in the glass to offer scents of ripe dark berries and oak cask. Layers of interesting flavor including black cherry, pomegranate, dark raspberry and tobacco. Admirable harmony with balanced tannins and a lip-smacking finish with good intensity and length. Score: 90. Reviewed May 15, 2014 ARTICLE »
2012 Longboard Mysto’s Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.58, 112 cases, $56. From a vineyard near Westside Road, the exact location and owners remains a secret. Mystos is also the name of a surf spot known only to the locals who surf the Sonoma Coast and the winery principals won’t tell you where that is either. Indigenous yeast fermentation, aged 16 months in French oak. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry cobbler, Asian spice, anise and vanilla lead to a delicious core of Bing cherry fruit accented with notes of strawberry, exotic spice and vanilla pastry cream. The fruit is strikingly fresh and juicy, bringing the drinker to attention, and is back by zippy acidity that is unusual for the Russian River Valley, showing up as a refreshing cut on the bright and intense cherry-themed finish. Score: 92. Reviewed May 15, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 Longboard Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $33. 100% de-stemmed, 3-day cold soak, aged on the lees in 30% new French oak barrels until late spring. The wines are racked and blended in the spring and aged another 6 months in barrels before bottling in late fall. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. The nose unfolds slowly over time in the glass, releasing aromas of dark cherries, raspberries, cranberries and toasty oak. Moderately rich and juicy with very ripe cherry flavor emerging over time accented with mocha and cola, showing a bit of tarry oak in the background. The plentiful tannin and oak needs time to integrate. Tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the fruit profile veered quite noticeably to the ripe side. Good. Reviewed June 23, 2013 ARTICLE »
2010 Longboard Vineyards Flying Rooster Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $42. From a vineyard located in the Petaluma Gap region of the Sonoma Coast. 100% de-stemmed, 3-day cold soak, aged in French oak. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of fresh cherry pie glaze, red berries and forest floor, becoming more intense and pleasing over time in the glass. Middleweight flavors of perfectly ripe cherries and raspberries with complimentary notes of spice and tea, finishing long with a good cut of acidity. Very supple tannins make for easy drinking. Read to go now. Very good. Reviewed July 23, 2012 ARTICLE »
2008 Longboard Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 1,450 cases, $33. Sourced from O’Neel, Ledbetter, Rochioli and Webber vineyards. Aged in 35% new French oak. · Moderately light reddish- purple color in the glass. Deeply fragrant initially with aromas of Bing cherries and baking spice, developing scents of sous-bois and stem over time in the glass. Medium weight core of black cherry flavor with hints of cola and tar robed in soft, supple tannins. Decent. Reviewed July 23, 2012 ARTICLE »
2007 Longboard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 700 cases, $27. · Scents and flavors of ripe, roasted fruits with raisin overtones. Very smooth and soft in the mouth with silky tannins. Decent. Reviewed February 15, 2010 ARTICLE »
2006 Longboard Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 1053 cases, $28. This unique winery has the motto, “wine, waves and soul.” Surfer, winegrower and winemaker Oded Shakked is the co-owner with Robert Watkins and Bruce Lundquist. Shakked was formerly the winemaker at J Winery and Vineyards. He left in 2005 to start his own label and downsized to a production level of 10,000 cases. The label has actually been producing wines since 1998, but the 2006 vintage is the first for a Pinot Noir. Grapes are sourced from the O’Neil Vineyard and Wohler Bridge Vineyard, both in the Russian River Valley. · Confected cherries and cola dominate the aromas. Elegant in style, the flavors echo the aromas. The finish is pleasing with fine-grained, slightly drying tannins. Reviewed December 16, 2007 ARTICLE »