Winemaker Notes
Rich, ruby-red in color, the Sketchbook Pinot Noir greets you with aromas of ripe raspberry, red currant, and a hint of freshly picked plum. On the palate the vibrant berry flavors are complemented by layers of dark cocoa, tart dried cherries, and a kiss of roasted hazelnut. Bright and lively, with smooth tannins, it is a wine of delicate balance, weaving together lush fruit with subtle spicy notes.
Vegan-Friendly
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.”
A large and diverse appellation within California’s North Coast AVA, Mendocino is home to several smaller sub-regions—most notably the Anderson Valley. This scenic region, with rolling hills covered in redwood forests as well as vineyards, is one of the world’s top producers of certified organically-grown grapes. Due to wide geographical and climatic variation, a vast array of wine styles can be found here.