Exploring the Art of Wine
Category: Pinot Noir
Compiling a list of the Top Wines can be a daunting task considering the myriad of labels and selections in the market place. So this year’s wine lists were compiled with several criteria in mind:
Small Vines has hit the pinnacle of Russian River Pinot Noir with its 2009 lineup. The three Pinots showcase the magnificent terroir of the Russian River Valley as a world class Pinot Noir growing region.
AHTAIR wines are a tribute to Fathers everywhere. The lineup of distinct Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon reflect the proprietors’ high regard for family, and great wine.
Paul Sloan at Small Vines Winery and Viticulture is known for his innovative vineyard management techniques that produce exceptional wines.
Morgan Winery in the Santa Lucia Highlands continues its streak of producing award-wining Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from California’s Central Coast. Morgan’s organically-farmed, 48-acre Double L Vineyard has been a recognized source for producing top quality grapes from Santa Lucia Highlands. This year’s lineup of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay speaks to their commitment of producing high quality wines.
Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton have been making some of the most exciting Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in the Central Coast, if not the entire state. From the beginning this dynamic duo made a commitment to focus on vineyards and wines from a specific region that came to be known as the Santa Rita Hills, about a 30-minute drive north of Santa Barbara.
The 2010 Crush is well underway in the Russian River and Sonoma Coast appellations! In this video you will get a first hand look at the night harvest with Paul Sloan and his crew who start picking at midnight to ensure cool, fresh fruit arrives at the crush pad. Select blocks of Pinot Noir grapes were harvested at the DuMOL and MK vineyards.
Love of wine and passionate pursuit of making world class Pinot Noir brought Mark Ketcham and Steve Rigisich together in a partnership to start Ketcham Estate. This dynamic duo spared no expense in the vineyards or the wine making process. As they say, “We have written the checks”, and yes they are singularly focused on Pinot Noir; more specifically, Pinot Noir that exhibits the terroir of their Russian River Valley estate vineyard.
Due to the scarcity and demand for the Pisoni Pinot Noir, Gary and the family decided to start a sister label and called it LUCIA. Lucia was created to produce affordable, high quality wines that would be more available and affordable for wine lovers to enjoy on a regular basis. Starting in the early 2000s, Lucia came on the scene providing Pinotphiles with affordable, quality wines. In the following years Chardonnay and Syrah were added to the Lucia portfolio.
In 1997 he began selling fruit to Paul Hobbs who made a Walker Station, vineyard designated chardonnay that immediately got the attention of chardonnay fans and wine critics alike. Ever since the Paul Hobbs Walker Station chardonnay has consistently been a top ranking chardonnay from vintage to vintage.
These are wines to get excited about! Unfortunately there is very little to go around. Alan Baker and Serena Lourie are making interesting and exciting wines at Cartograph. Keep them on your radar for future releases.
Dan Glover’s new release of the L’Objet Noir 2008 Pinot Noir from the Bacigalupi Vineyard in the Russian River Valley has been widely received by local patrons in the Healdsburg area, as well as visitors who have a chance to taste this inaugural release. Glover left a career in Southern California’s music industry to pursue his passion of making exceptional Pinot Noir.
Pinot Noirs from the 2007 vintage are rapidly disappearing. 2007 was a perfect growing season for virtually all varietals, but especially for Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley, and Central Coast appellations.
Walter Hansel Winery continues to be a great source of exceptional Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs at very reasonable prices. The wines have developed an avid following of fans that enjoy wines made in the style of white and red Burgundies. Although distinctly Californian, the wines exhibit excellent balance between purity of fruit and good minerality.
When they say that good wine is made in the vineyard, you need look no further than the farming techniques employed by Paul Sloan and his Small Vines Wines and Small Vines Viticulture operations. Sloan is a pioneer when it comes to vineyard management and viticultural practices. His talents are highly sought as is the [...]
In the Vineyard – Dropping Fruit
Sonoma County: San Francisco’s Wine Country
Moratto Vineyard with Agostino Gamba, Jr.
In the Vineyard – Organic Weed Control
Dan Glover and his new L’Objet Pinot Noir