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Pinot Noir is one of my favorite wines. This elegant and complex wine is made from Pinot Noir grapes that thrive in a very specific microclimate with sunny, warm days and cool foggy nights.
Vines prosper in the well-drained slope of Goldridge loam soil and a long Indian summer in the Russian River Valley. The grapes are harvested in the cool pre-dawn darkness to conserve grape flavor and acidity. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the predominant varietals grown in about a 200 square-mile prestigious American Viticultural Area (AVA) of Sonoma County, California called the Russian River Valley. The area is shaded by majestic redwood trees.
This viticultural area is the home of over 150 wine-grape growers and 100 wineries and is located about 55 miles north of San Francisco. Many of the wineries have their own websites with helpful tips about touring and wine-tasting. The Russian River Valley contains the Green Valley and Chalk Hill AVAs directly north of the Sonoma Coast appelation. Some pinots to try include Fog Crest (www.fogcrestvineyard.com) Perception (www.perceptionwines.com) George (www.georgewines.com) and Sequana (www.sequanavineyards.com)
The Martinelli Estate Wines offered a divine “Lolita Ranch Pinot Noir” grown in one of the steepest vineyards in the Russian River Valley that tasted like “Christmas in a Glass” www.martinelliwinery.com
Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides to Italy and Vino Con Vista Travel Guides can be purchased at these sites.
Salute from www.vino-con-vista.com
