Winemaker Notes
The Journeyman Pinot Noir is from an iconic old vine vineyard they have worked with for over a decade. The Thomas Road vineyard, meticulously farmed by the Dutton Family, was planted in 1986 in one of the coolest sub-regions of Sonoma County’s Green Valley. This elevated benchland site with a foundation of Goldridge soils, sits within the southern edge of Russian River Valley and produces grapes richly flavored with red and black cherry, finished with a classic creaminess and finished with lingering essence of salt water taffy (reminiscent of my childhood at the beach.) The François Frères oak provides a vibrant, strong structure. We wish we had crafted more.
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.