Winemaker Notes
LOLA California Pinot Noir is meant to showcase a true, pure expression of Northern California Pinot Noir. It is made from grapes grown on our vineyards in Mendocino, Russian River Valley, and Monterey, with each region lending unique elements to the structure and aromatics of the finished wine. The 2018 vintage was exceptional across the board for Pinot Noir grown in Northern California! The super-long mild growing season allowed us to make a wine with a deep, garnet color and aromas of black cherry, blue fruits and cola overlaying a beautiful fresh mouth-feel that is balanced with bright crisp acidity.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 LOLA Pinot Noir is bright and vibrant. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers lively red fruit aromas and flavors, with a suggestion of earth and mineral notes. Enjoy it with grilled, lightly-seasoned salmon. (Tasted: May 19, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
Internationally recognized for gorgeous, pure fruit combined with great elegance, California Pinot noir thrives among the state’s cooler, coastal zones. Characterized by eclectic flavors and aromas of strawberry, black cherry, plum and potpourri with notes of forest floor, mushroom or black tea, the best California Pinot noir boast a supple texture and good acidity, giving them the ability to improve with age.
Credited with the beginning of Pinot noir’s glory in California, two growers, Joe Rochioli and Joseph Swan in the late 1960s independently planted Pinot noir vineyards in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. Today Sonoma County remains the leading producer of Pinot noir in the state, and Pinot noir is the leading red grape in the county, achieving its highest potential, in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast.
Other coastal appellations where Pinot noir flourishes include Carneros, Anderson Valley and most of the Central Coast.