Winemaker Notes
Böen highlights the unique attributes of California’s most sought after coastal winegrowing regions for Pinot Noir: the bright minerality of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, the rich opulence of the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey County and the spice-driven elegance of the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County. This stretch of the California coastline is so geographically diverse that the various soil types, sub-climates, and elevations produce desirable and complex Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay. To create our Böen Pinot Noir, we work closely with growers and vineyards in each region to blend a well-balanced wine. This wine shows its coastal California roots in its flavor, texture, and vibrant acidity.
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.