Winemaker Notes
If you're looking for a Pinot that isn't bashful about its pedigree or its attitude, then look no further. Expect cherry and strawberry notes with subtle tones of vanilla spice, accompanied by the smooth, silky tannins, sure to knock the spurs off of even the toughest cowboys.
Ammunition Wines & Whiskey, the award-winning spirits brand passionate about the American West, announced that critically acclaimed actress Kelly Reilly has joined the company as a new partner. Reilly joins a leadership team comprising CEO and Co-Founder Andy Wahl and Co-Founder Bill Kerr. In her new role, Reilly will further elevate the premium spirits and wine portfolio with a keen eye for creative and brand storytelling.
Best known for playing Beth Dutton in the hit Paramount TV series "Yellowstone" and numerous feature films, this marks the actress’ first brand partnership. Reilly instantly connected with Ammunition’s deep commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and honoring the land. As a creative visionary for the company, Reilly will lend her talents and passion to a new campaign, “Soil to Spirit,” which celebrates the journey from Earth to bottle and aims to reshape perceptions of women in whiskey. “I have always harbored a deep respect for the land and our natural resources,” says Reilly. “I was immediately drawn to Ammunition’s commitment to create a stand-out product with a brand identity rooted in the spirit of the American West. I’m thrilled to partner with Ammunition and contribute my experiences and perspectives.”
The story of Ammunition is a shared celebration of the values, work ethic and ingenuity upon which this nation was built. This is a story about the underdog and about being uncompromising on quality. About believing so much in what you're doing, that you're willing to swim upstream even in the swiftest of waters. Every drop they produce represents their uncommon (and admittedly, at times, obsessive) pursuit of perfection. It’s the result of long hours, hard work and sleepless nights. In the end, they know that nothing worth doing is ever easy. But make no mistake, they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.