THE PINNACLE
Rounding out the region.
Like many West County vineyards, Mes Filles began its life as an apple orchard. It was Rick DuNah who first planted grapes in 1998, putting in eight acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and working with Greg LaFollette to launch his eponymous brand. During the following years, Ross became familiar with the vineyard as Rick sold fruit to Flowers Winery where Ross was working. There are only so many parcels in the Sonoma Coast suited for truly great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, so Ross kept his eye on the original DuNah vineyard.
In 2013 David Gensler purchased the vineyard and the neighboring property, expanding the site with two new acres of Pinot. Named for his four daughters, Mes Filles is unique in that it is one of the most south westerly vineyards within the sub-appellation of Sonoma Coast known as the Sebastopol Hills. While the site has been known for Pinot over the years, Ross has focused on the small planting of Chardonnay.
TERROIR
Wine made with wind.
Though surrounded by typical Sonoma Coast trees like redwoods and Bay Laurels, Mes Filles is right up against the Valley Ford corridor. It looks down toward the Santa Rosa plain when you face east. But if you turn around, it’s all rolling hills and cattle country toward the south and west. Backing up to these cool lowlands makes for strong westerly winds that come across the Valley Ford gap daily, providing extremely cool afternoon temperatures and challenging farming conditions. The Chardonnay from Mes Filles is ethereal and mineral driven, with notable energy and tension that fits perfectly within the portfolio of Cobb Wines.
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