PINOT NOIR

We love Pinot Noir.  We don't claim to be experts just a couple of folks who've been visiting Sonoma County for over 15 years and whose taste preferences have evolved and are now focused primarily on this wonderful varietal.  We consider ourselves very lucky to have found Healdsburg and Healdsburg Country Gardens.  It is an ideal location to explore the Sonoma and Mendocino County Pinot wineries.  We'd like to share our thoughts and experiences with you.

There seems to be a raging discussion about the correct way to make Pinot that has a lot to do with when the fruit is picked i.e. sugar content (which ultimately ends up as alcohol content or "bigness").  So who's right?  It all depends on your tastes not what someone tells you. Pinot is a very versatile wine and depending on the vineyard and the winemaker it can range from being light and fruit forward to one darn serious warm- you-up on a chilly winter's evening knockout.  Some winemakers knowing the fruit they're working with will be able to offer you a choice covering the full gamut.  A few will also draw fruit from a large number of appellations from Santa Barbara to the Anderson Valley. You can find a Pinot to complement a wide range of foods or to just sit and enjoy.

Our wine cellar is 99% Sonoma/Mendocino (not all Pinot) and what really adds to our tasting enjoyment is that each bottle brings back memories of winery visits, tasting events with friends and often very personal private tastings with the winemaker.  We love the small operations--you have to do some research and make appointments but the rewards are worth it.  We're not going to give you all of our secrets but will be providing  some research tips and a list of places where we've had particularly enjoyable experiences.

Check the Santa Rosa Press Democrat www.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage daily looking for winery articles and find lots of good ideas.  Visit www.wineroad.com for a listing and map of Russian River wineries, restaurants and accommodations.  Also Go to www.winespectator.com/magazine/show/id/40455 and print the alphabetical listing of California Pinot Noir wineries-then check individual web sites for more info.

Some local favorites:

MacPhail Family Wines, www.macphailwine.com,  Jim MacPhail has just built his new winery and it's very close to downtown.  You may be able to print a "ticket" for complimentary tasting.  He will pour several Pinots from a variety of vineyards. It is  recommended that you  schedule your tasting appointment at least 2 weeks in advance to insure a tasting with Jim. Inman Family Wines, www.inmanfamilywines.com, Kathleen Inman is in the process of building a new winery.  Excellent Pinot, Pinot Gris and a Pinot Rose'. Joseph Swan Vineyards, www.swanwinery.com, is one of the original Pinot producers in California. 

 Lynmar Estate, www.lynmarestate.com, is a beautiful new winery in the same general vicinity as Swan.  Also out that way is Hartford Family Winery, www.hartfordwines.com and WesMar Winery, www.wesmarwinery.com.  Wes and Denise are a delightful couple and have 6 really good pinots.  The winery is at a former apple processing facility that also houses a custom crush operation in a separate building where some 30 small wineries make their wine. 

Back closer to Healdsburg is Rodney Strong Vineyards, www.rodneystrong.com.  They have a variety of wines including Pinot. In downtown Healdsburg there's an excellent pinot tasting room--La Crema, www.lacrema.com. More Pinot info to come.

Cheers!

WL Pinot

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