Winemaker Notes
Earl Stephens planted his vineyard in 1997, transitioning from growing apples to grapes. The vineyard is located in Green Valley, about eight miles inland from the Pacific, in the northern end of Green Valley and the southwest portion of the Russian River Valley.
The vineyard has four different clones of grapes, Dijon 115, 667, 777, and Pomard 4, which contribute to the diversity of the grapes grown in the vineyard. The land has three different types of soil, Gold Ridge, Franciscan, and riparian, with three different exposures, northwest, southwest and western. The different elevations, exposures, and soil types contribute to the diversity of the grapes, giving them different tastes, which results in a complex and interesting wine.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This ripe and opulent Pinot delivers gorgeous aromas of raspberry coulis, crushed Bing cherry and rose petals on the nose. The palate brings rich, velvety tannin, energetic acidity and flavors of fresh strawberry, cinnamon and pithy orange along the finish. An absolute showstopper.
Editors' Choice -
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Pinot Noir Earl Stephens Vineyard displays a youthful, saturated ruby hue and is perfumed with notes of sweet cedar, preserved cherries, forest herbs, and crushed flowers. The palate is generous and fruity, with a rounded and medium-bodied frame, ripe tannins, even acidity, and a soft mineral texture through the finish, with a bit of warming spice. A lovely wine, it should drink well over the coming 10-12 years.
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James Suckling
This lavish, well-saturated wine is almost thick in ripe red and black fruit flavors and soft tannins. Oak spices mingle with dried cherries, dried blueberries and black tea on the palate, while a full, rich texture gives it a big presence.
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Wine Spectator
A generous style, with a mix of gently steeped cherry, raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors laced with singed red tea, sandalwood and rose petal notes. A crowd-pleaser. Best from 2026 through 2036.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2023 Domaine Della Earl Stephens Vineyard Pinot Noir is stylish yet commanding, combining power, depth, and finesse. It reveals aromas and flavors of smoke, ripe blackberries, and dusty earth, all framed by supple tannins and vibrant acidity. The wine’s concentration and balance make it an inspired match with Peking duck—just go easy on the hoisin sauce to let the wine’s layered fruit and savory tones shine. (Tasted: April 18, 2025, San Francisco, CA)
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.