Rochioli is one of the true pioneers in Russian River Valley, with a winemaking history dating back to the the late 1950′s. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. I’ve blogged about Rochioli previously in Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings and the Fab 5 of Mailing Lists. The Estate Pinot Noir,…
Thomas Rivers Brown and his wife Genevieve Marie Walsh have quickly made Rivers-Marie one of California’s most sought after Pinot Noir labels. The winery was founded in 2002 and the first release was the Rivers-Marie Summa Vineyard Pinot Noir. Other Pinot Noirs from Rivers-Marie include the Silver Eagle, Gioia and Occidental Ridge. Rivers-Marie also does several single vineyard Cabernets and…
Sojourn Cellars was founded in 2001 by Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley. The winery specializes in Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and recently added a Chardonnay to the lineup. The fruit is sourced from some of California’s finest vineyards. The grapes for the Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir are primarily sourced from the Southern end of the Sonoma Coast appellation. The majority…
The 2005 Kosta Browne Gary’s Vineyard Pinot Noir was the leading vote getter in the September installment of Pick My Next Bottle. Kosta Browne began as a dream shared by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. In the summer of 1997, while working at John Ash & Co. restaurant in Santa Rosa, California, Dan and Michael decided to pool their tips…
Williams Selyem Winery began with Ed Selyem and Burt Williams making wine as a hobby in 1979 in a garage in Forestville, California, releasing their first commercial vintage in 1981. In less than two decades, Burt and Ed created a cult-status winery of international acclaim. Setting a new standard for Pinot Noir winemaking, they put Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley…
The September installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on 2005 California “cult” Pinot Noir (see the July installment for background on this series). I plan on opening the winning bottle on September 29th, and publishing an in depth bottle note on October 1st. The contenders for this month are Rochioli West Block and Williams Selyem Flax Vineyard, both from the Russian River Valley, and Kosta Browne…
Peay Vineyards is a partnership between Vanessa Wong, and Andy and Nick Peay. Founded in 1998, the 48 acre hilltop vineyard is located in the far northwestern corner of the Sonoma Coast, four miles from the Pacific Ocean. They grow 33 acres of Pinot Noir, 8 acres of Syrah, 5 acres of Chardonnay, and small amounts of Viognier, Roussanne and…
Black Kite Cellars, a family-run winery in Anderson Valley, specializes in block-designated Pinot Noir from the Kite’s Rest Vineyard. Founded by Donald and Maureen Green in 2003, Black Kite is named for the beautiful but endangered Black Shouldered Kite that is native to the Anderson Valley. Jeff Gaffner of Saxon Brown is the consulting winemaker. The Kite’s Rest is their…
Ponzi Vineyards was founded by Dick and Nancy Ponzi in 1970. They, along with other iconic Oregon wineries like Eyrie, Adelsheim and Sokol Blosser, paved the way for what is now one of the most exciting Pinot Noir regions in the world. Ponzi produces a number of wines including Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, but it is the Reserve Pinot Noir…
Founded in 1975 by current owner/winemaker Tom Dehlinger, Dehlinger Winery is located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. Although they are known for their Pinot Noir, they also make Chardonnay, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.