When the Kistler family founded Occidental in 2011, the wine world buzzed with excitement over what their coastal Bodega vineyards could yield. Steve Kistler’s passion for these sites dated back to 1975, when he worked at Ridge and hauled Zinfandel from west of Sebastopol. With Occidental, he and his family pushed the boundaries of Pinot Noir in the region, extending plantings to a ridge overlooking the Pacific. The ‘Freestone-Occidental’ cuvée comes from estate vineyards Bodega Headlands, Occidental Station, and Bodega Ridge. Made from free-run juice and native yeast fermentation, it shows vibrant red fruit, minerality, fresh herbs, and a finely textured finish—a stunning expression of coastal Pinot.