Inspired by a vision to provide a haven for filmmakers to conceptualize movies rather than physically make them, George Lucas imagined Skywalker Ranch. Today, the Ranch is a working ranch that raises Wagyu cattle, farms produce from an organic garden, and an olive orchard. Several bee colonies provide honey from the 6000-acre estate. Included on the Ranch is Skywalker Vineyards and winery, established in 1991, farming 35 acres of vineyards and producing award-winning Skywalker Vineyards Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rosé and sparkling wines.
Skywalker
Pinot Noir
Skywalker Pinot Noir embodies a purity, grace and finesse that truly expresses the character of the land. We reserve specific blocks and rows—choosing between morning and afternoon sun—ferment clones separately, and age in hand-selected French Oak barrels. With every step in the winemaking process, we ensure that the finest techniques are used to produce this coveted world class Pinot Noir.
Notes
Atmosphere
The climate in Nicasio presents challenges for agriculture. However, the cool marine layer predictably present during the growing season is perfect for producing superior Pinot Noir fruit. Coastal winds funnel through the Nicasio gap, creating stresses on the vineyard which force the vines to adapt by producing small but powerful fruit.
Earth
The rocky soil, found in all the blocks of the
vineyard, forces the roots to search for fertile ground. This difficult environment is essential for producing intensely flavored fruit. Rocks in the soil retain the sun’s heat, allowing the roots to prolong the growing season, giving the fruit the ability to slowly mature and incorporate the unique terroir of the estate.
Elevation
Skywalker Ranch, in Marin, offered numerous areas to consider when planting the vineyard in 2006. The mountain range where Skywalker Pinot Noir is planted, at 950 feet, is second highest only to Mt. Tamalpais. This elevation offers the warmest micro-climate on the Ranch—10 degrees warmer. Growing Pinot Noir above the fog layer allows the fruit to ripen with great depth of character.
Skywalker
Chardonnay
The first area designated for vineyards at Skywalker Ranch is located on the valley floor. Traditionally planted in the Old World style, the Chardonnay vineyard is hand-farmed and gently nurtured. Our yield is limited, but we are able to produce amazing Skywalker Chardonnay—complex, layered, focused and noble.
Notes
Atmosphere
Throughout the growing season, fog from the coast works its way up the Nicasio Valley, stopping at the west end of Skywalker Ranch and blanketing the Chardonnay vineyard. This area is traditionally 10 degrees cooler than the rest of the ranch, lengthening our growing season. Harvesting 30-45 days later than your average Chardonnay vineyard, affords the fruit the ability to fully ripen and mature.
Earth
Gently sloping to the valley floor, the soil has
depth and is more fertile than other areas of the Ranch. The roots are able to run deep, resulting in an authentic expression of the site.
Elevation
One of the lowest points of Skywalker Ranch, the Chardonnay vineyard benefits from years of rich runoff from the hillside. The vineyard tucked into the valley keeps the coastal winds at bay, while allowing
the cooling fog to encourage a longer growing season.
Skywalker
Rosé
Unlike most other wines, Skywalker Rosé is created to be approachable and enjoyed equally at a brunch or an elegant cocktail party. By blending the best of the Provençal style with the California cool climate Pinot Noir, we are able to capture the complexity and beauty of Marin County in this opulent wine.
Notes
Atmosphere
The Skywalker Pinot Noir vineyards are planted at the top of the ridge on Skywalker Ranch. Winds from the coast help maintain a cool growing area that challenges normal winegrowing practices. These same challenges help develop delicate and understated flavors.
Earth
The rocky soil in which the vines grow, imparts unique minerality and sense of place. Not ideal for most wines, we use this to our advantage to make a wine that balances acidity.
Elevation
Situated above the marine layer, this area does not ripen with the same intensity as other blocks in the vineyard, giving the wine its bright flavor.
Skywalker
Sparkling
Skywalker Sparkling brings the estate’s cool-climate fruit into focus through a program built on the precision and patience of the méthode traditionnelle. Developed with deep experience in sparkling wine and refined over years of collaboration at the estate, the wines are crafted from Skywalker-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and given extended time in the cellar to build texture, freshness, and complexity. Produced in limited quantities, they reflect both the rigor of the winemaking and the distinctive character of Marin.
Sommità
Pinot Noir
Planted at the uppermost portion of the ridge on Skywalker Ranch, Sommità Pinot Noir is a perfect example of a cool climate Pinot Noir, with a nice balance of bright acidity and soft, firm tannins, and a flavor profile that is entirely unique. We employ hand-crafted French oak barrels in a regimen that doesn’t overtake the nuances of this subtle and textured wine.
Notes
Atmosphere
The Sommità Pinot Noir vineyards are planted at the uppermost portion of the ridge on Skywalker Ranch. Strong breezes preserve the cool growing conditions that are the hallmark of Marin County wine growing. These same breezes allow for elongated growing seasons which give us small, concentrated and flavorful berries.
Earth
The thin soil on the slopes of the Sommità
vineyards make the Pinot Noir vines work hard to produce fruit. The roots are forced to dig down through the rocky layers for sustenance. This results in a low yield, but imparts subtle characters and distinct minerality.
Elevation
At 950 feet, the Sommità vineyard is the rockiest site in the harshest of conditions. Growing on the edge lends itself to producing a tense, linear and taut wine. This environment creates a fruit centered wine that showcases Marin.
Sommità
Chardonnay
The Sommità Chardonnay vineyard is also planted at the crest of the Skywalker Ranch, not typically an area for this varietal. This vanguard spirit led us to test Chardonnay at this elevation. The results surprised and delighted us. Our winemaker varies the winemaking techniques, year over year, in order to create a wine that allows the varietal to shine, while preserving the natural acidity.
Notes
Atmosphere
The cooling influences of the coastal marine layer extend the growing season for the Sommità Chardonnay. This allows the fruit to fully mature without over-ripening. The true essence of the Chardonnay varietal presents through in every glass.
Earth
The brutal landscape in which Sommità Chardonnay is grown forces the vine’s root system to dig deep. This challenging environment produces lower yields, but superior intensity of flavor.
Elevation
At the summit of Skywalker Ranch, we planted the Chardonnay vineyards to push this varietal’s ability to adapt. We found that it produces fruit with amazing complexity. At this level we are able to showcase the beautiful Chardonnay characteristics.
Sommità
Sparkling
Sommità Sparkling marked a new chapter for Skywalker Vineyards as the estate’s first sparkling wine. Conceived as a distinct expression of the Ranch, it established a program centered on méthode traditionnelle, extended cellar aging, and meticulous small-production craftsmanship. Each vintage is shaped by the growing season and evolving blend, while remaining guided by the same commitment to precision, balance, and a clear expression of place.