Russian River Fever
For California-grown Pinot Noir, look to the Russian River Valley for some of the very best that California has to offer. This area is anchored by the river that shares its name and is located in Sonoma County, where it spans from Sebastopol and Santa Rosa in the south, up to Healdsburg and Forestville in the north.
The Russian River Valley is famous for its “Goldridge Soil.” This soil was formed millions of years ago by the combination of tectonic plate collisions and the eruption of a volcano that deposited ash over eroded bedrock. In addition to its unique soil, this area also has a cooler climate than some of its counterparts, influenced by ocean breezes and fog from the Pacific. As the sun sets, the vineyards can cool by as much as forty degrees, creating what is known as large diurnal temperature variation. It is this wide range in temperature that allows the Pinot Noir to ripen slowly, developing a complex flavor profile and running little risk of becoming “baked” from getting too hot. It is this combination of a cool climate and unique geology that make the Russian River Valley perfectly suited to grow world-class Pinot Noir.
We’re extremely fortunate at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits that we can offer a fine selection of Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley. Three of my favorite producers from the area include Trione, Sojourn and Chasseur.
About Dave
Dave is a Sales Manager in Northwest Florida specializing in California wines. With over 18 years of service at ABC, Dave has gained a hands-on education in the wine world. He currently holds the WSET Level 3, Advanced Award in Wine & Spirits. His recommendations are chosen for their quality, price and enjoyability.
Learn more about Dave here.
The Trione family is firmly rooted in Sonoma County, with over 40 years of experience growing grapes for some of the region’s top producers. Winemaker, Scot Covington, selects the top three percent of premium grapes grown on the estate to be used for their wines and, believe me, the quality shows. Their Pinot Noir is spectacular, with aromas and flavors of black cherries, currant, strawberries, clove and spice. It is produced exclusively from their Russian River Valley ranch and approximately 1200 cases are made in each vintage. For me, it does not get much better than this.
Sojourn is a relatively new arrival for us, and along with Trione, it’s one of the finest Pinot Noirs from Sonoma County we’ve ever carried. Founded in 2001 by friends who shared a passion for wine, Sojourn started with a mere 100-case production and has grown to a brand that now specializes in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon from some of Northern California’s top vineyard sites. Their 2018 Russian River Pinot Noir is a 900-case production blended from five different vineyard sites throughout the region. It’s a wine that is bursting with red fruit flavors, balanced by light tannins and has a bright acidity that make this a perfect wine to pair for that special occasion dinner.
Lastly, there’s Chasseur, the brainchild of winemaker William Hunter, who crafts outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from some of the best vineyard sites in Sonoma County. His total production is a mere 2,700 cases, of which the majority is sold on an allocation to wine club members. We are fortunate enough to carry two of his wines, the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, his largest production, and the Freestone Station, from a single vineyard in the far western end of the Russian River Valley. Both are available in limited quantities but are well worth seeking out.
Next time you visit your neighborhood ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, look for these gems from the Russian River Valley. I am confident you will love them!