Red wine

Sonoma Pinot Noir

Robe — Deep, vivid ruby

  • black cherry
  • raspberry
  • cola
  • baking spice
  • forest floor
Palate
Ripe and silky with fresh acidity from the coastal fog
Ageing
5–15 years
Serving
14–16 °C

In the fog-cooled valleys of the Russian River and the Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir found one of the New World's great homes. Pacific fog rolls in each night to slow the ripening, giving wines that combine California ripeness — deep black cherry and spice — with genuine freshness and silky texture.

From the pioneers of the 1970s to today's cult coastal vineyards, Sonoma has quietly overtaken Napa as California's most exciting address for Burgundian wine. Its Pinot Noir is the state's most compelling argument that great Pinot can be made far from Burgundy.

The blend

A typical modern composition

Where it is made

Producers

A few estates working in this style today — a sample, not a ranking

Through time

Indicative presence index, 0–100Origins & Antiquity — 0The Monastic Middle Ages — 0Exploration & the Fortified Age — 0Classifications & the Golden Age — 5Phylloxera & the World Crises — 5The Modern & New World Era — 80Antiquity0500150017001875195080