Oppenlander Vineyard is well off the beaten path in Mendocino County outside of the town of Comptche. It’s about eight and a half miles from the Pacific Ocean as the crow flies at an elevation of 250 feet. Oppenlander is owned by the Shandel family, 5th generation owners of the property, and was originally homesteaded in the 1860s by their ancestors from Denmark (via the Gold Rush in Australia). The vineyard sees consistently cool temperatures across the growing season and is harvested later than other regions. This cooler temperature range and coastal proximity can deliver a certain “oceanic acidity,” lending structure and complexity to the wine.
Oppenlander Vineyard gives off a coastal vibe of Pinot Noir: fresh and lush dark red fruit, with a salinity and minerality that recalls the Mendocino coast sea breeze. The 2022 vintage was nourished with plentiful winter rains, proceeded with relatively cool weather, took a turn with a hot early September and wrapped with some cooling conditions. A lower yield on the 2022 crop and the additional hang time that Oppenlander enjoys on the cooler coastal sight delivers concentrated flavors, color and acidity, along with great structure.
Tasting Notes: In the glass, the 2022 Oppenlander shows a medium garnet color, while on the nose, pronounced aromas of ripe strawberry, pomegranate and dried rose petal command your attention. What follows are subtle layers of spices and earth: cardamom, clove, and a minerality that gives a nod to seafoam. Take a sip and you'll enjoy flavors of muddled strawberries and ripe raspberry framed by a focused palate with fresh acidity and super-fine tannins. A lengthy finish teases out dark cherry and cocoa to bring a big smile to your face. Once again, Oppenlander delivers the goods.
Details:
Clones: 114, 115, pommard
Harvest: September 27, 2022
Alcohol content: 13.6%
Fruit: 100% whole berry (no stems)
Fermentation: Native yeast
Barrel aging: 17 months in French oak, 18%new (Billon AML 3yr)
Finish: unfined and unfiltered
Bottled: February, 2024
Production: 129 cases
Drink until 2034
Reviews:
93 Points, Decanter (June 2025): This later-harvested Pinot Noir vineyard from the Mendocino County site, Oppenlander Vineyard, sits at a lower elevation, not far from the Pacific, and retains a consistent coolness throughout the growing season. It's effusive with red florals, as dusty rose petals and mountain scrub are evocative of the forested growing region. The palate is elegant, and mineral freshness ignites a lift that carries the fresh raspberries, salty blood orange, and smoky clove spice to the finish. - Clive Pursehouse
93 Points, Decanter (July 2025): The 2022 Oppenlander is richer and more silkily textured than the 2021 release, yet equally expressive. Aromas of dark cherry, forest pine, violets, and richly spiced cedarwood unfold in layers. Medium-bodied, the palate is framed by fine tannins and a vibrant core of red berry fruit, brown baking spices, and a building umami richness that leads into a long, mineral-laced finish tinged with crushed cacao nibs. The fruit is sourced from Oppenlander Vineyard, perched just 76.2 metres above sea level and only eight and a half miles from the Pacific Ocean, as the crow flies. Waits-Mast has worked with this coastal site since 2009. - Jonathan Cristaldi
Sunset International Wine Competition: Gold Medal, 93 Points
