The Untamed Heart of Marin: Devil's Gulch Vineyard Pinot Noir

In the rugged hills of western Marin County, seven miles from the Pacific Ocean, lies a vineyard unlike any other in California: Devil's Gulch. Steep, rocky, windswept, and wild, it's a place where grapevines struggle mightily—and that struggle is what gives this wine its soul.

We’ve been making Pinot Noir from Devil's Gulch for over three decades, but for most of that time, we let the wine do the talking. With the upcoming release of our newest vintage, we felt it was time to finally tell the full story.

The Origins of a Name and a Vineyard

Devil's Gulch got its name from local lore, either because of the treacherous trail between Nicasio and the coast or the haunting cries of mountain lions echoing through its canyons. This ruggedness defines the vineyard—and the wine. Mark Pasternak, the pioneering farmer behind Devil's Gulch Ranch, first planted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay here in 1980, guided by nothing more than gut, grit, and a few words of encouragement from a junior college instructor who believed grapes could grow just about anywhere.

The conventional wisdom at the time? Marin was too cold for still wines. Mark thought otherwise. So did Dan Goldfield.

The Dan and Mark Connection

Back in the early '90s, when no one else wanted the fruit, Mark offered a ton of his Pinot to then-La Crema winemaker Dan Goldfield. Dan insisted on paying for it, made the wine, and never looked back. When Dutton-Goldfield was founded in 1998, Devil's Gulch was a cornerstone vineyard from day one. In fact, it's now one of our longest-running vineyard partnerships and Dutton Ranch performs all of the farming duties for us.

A Place That Defies Convention

Everything about farming this vineyard is difficult. The terrain is steep. The soils are shallow and variable. The fog hangs late and the winds blow hard. Yields are tiny—often less than one ton per acre. But the reward is like no other: small berries packed with flavor, vivid natural acidity, and an unmistakable minerality that makes Devil's Gulch Pinot Noir one of the most distinctive wines in our portfolio.

The newest vintage of Devil's Gulch Pinot Noir captures what we love most about this place: layers of black cherry, wild strawberry, crushed rock, and forest floor. It’s lean but powerful, with a structure built for aging and a personality that reflects its windswept origin.

Why Now?

This wine has always been a quiet favorite among those “in the know.” But with a new generation discovering the nuance and elegance of coastal California Pinot, we think it’s time to introduce Devil's Gulch to a wider audience.

Devil's Gulch Ranch isn’t just a vineyard. It’s a working ranch. It’s a place that embodies the connection between land, labor, and legacy.

Join Us

If you're already a fan of our Devil's Gulch Vineyard Pinot Noir, you know what to expect: purity, power, and a wild streak. If you're new to this wine, there's no better time to discover what makes it so special. Quantities are always limited, and this year, even more so. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating this singular vineyard and the extraordinary people behind it.

Wine writers have begun spotlighting the rare beauty of Marin vineyards, including Devil’s Gulch, calling attention to the region’s extreme conditions and quietly cult-worthy wines. Read more at JancisRobinson.com (paywall) and from Jim Gordon (of JamesSuckling.com) here.

Coming soon to our club members: the 2023 vintage of Devil's Gulch Vineyard Pinot Noir