The 2019 Hatton Daniels Pinot Noir is a love letter to one of the Sonoma Coast's most prestigious sites. While most Robert's Road fruit is polished and tucked behind oak, winemaker Dan Fishman (Donum Estate) chooses a different path: Pure, unadulterated expression. 91 Points, Wine Advocate
Imagine this alongside roasted duck, wild mushroom risotto, or even a simple plate of aged Gruyère. With its fine-grained tannins and long, nuanced finish, it's the kind of bottle that starts a conversation and finishes far too quickly.
The Pedigree: 100% Sangiacomo Robert’s Road fruit (the gold standard of the Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir).
The Craft: Zero added sulfites. Native yeast. No makeup.
The Vibe: Think savory black tea, flinty minerals, and juicy acidity that makes your mouth water for another sip.
The Verdict: At 5 years old, the 'edge' of youth has softened into elegant, earthy complexity. It’s an $80 experience for $35. Period.
Vineyard
Located at the base of Sonoma Mountain at the far northern edge of the Petaluma Gap, the Roberts Road Vineyard experiences long, slow, and even growing seasons, perfect for Pinot Noir – rich yet delicate. For nearly half the day the vineyard is shrouded in fog. The vineyard is influenced by coastal breezes, lending itself to slow, even growing, and fruit development. The block of Pinot Noir for this bottling is in the flatlands at the base of Sonoma Mountain (on the western side) and features well-draining, silty gravel soils.
Vintage
The 2019 vintage for Pinot Noir from the Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard is widely regarded as exceptional, characterized by a long, cool growing season that allowed for slow ripening and complex flavor development. Experts note that Pinot Noir was particularly successful across California in 2019, yielding wines with strong acidity and deep fruit concentration.
The Maker: Dan Fishman
From PhD Candidate to Pinot Specialist. Dan Fishman doesnt just make wine; he translates terroir. After walking away from a PhD program to follow a "gut feeling" for the vine, Dan cut his teeth at the legendary Donum Estate, where he became obsessed with the nuances of high-end Pinot Noir. Dan has shed the "textbook" rules. He is a purist and a risk-taker, favoring native yeasts and zero added sulfites. His philosophy is simple: if the farming is perfect (and at Sangiacomo, it is), the winemaker's job is to stay out of the way. The result is a 2019 vintage that is raw, elegant, and intellectually stimulating—just like the man who made it.
Winemaker: Daniel Fishman (The "Fearless" Naturalist)
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Sangiacomo Roberts Road (Established 1999)
AVA: Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast
Clones: Heritage Swan & Pommard
Soil Type: Deep, well-drained loamy soils (ancient creek bed)
Fermentation: 100% Native Yeast
Sulfites: Zero Added (Unadulterated Grape Juice)
Cellar Potential: Drink now through 2028
Temperature Control Shipping
All Central, Midwest & Eastern orders ship via temp control truck.