See New Faces, Returning Favorites at Anderson Valley’s Pinot Noir Festival
Embark on a sensory journey this spring when the 25th annual Pinot Noir Festival makes its way to Anderson Valley. While you can expect to see plenty of returning favorites at this year’s celebration, new wineries and first-time attendees will add fresh energy and an element of discovery to the festivities.
An old standby and a new small producer are among those making their debut at this year’s Anderson Valley pinot festival, showcasing tradition as well as innovation.
Debuting this year…
Locals and longtime Anderson Valley visitors will remember Breggo Cellars, a picturesque and award-winning winery set atop a 200-acre former sheep ranch north of Boonville. The vineyard’s original owner, Douglas Stewart, recently reclaimed the property after leasing it back in 2009, and those thirsty for a taste of the Breggo brand can get their fill at this year’s festival. Read more from the Press Democrat>>
Wentworth Vineyards
Guests will also meet the winemaker and proprietor for Wentworth Vineyards, who will attend Pinot Fest for the first time! Mark focuses on terroir-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from organically farmed Estate vineyards in the Deep End Anderson Valley and Mendocino Ridge AVAs. Discover his Anderson Valley Pinot’s at this year’s event!
Also appearing as part of the Pinot Fest raffle benefiting the AV Fire Department is Black Ridge Oak Ranch, a small, higher-appellation vineyard on Anderson Valley’s eastern ridge. While his 2023 Roma’s Vineyard will debut in 2025, you can sample his Oregon Pinot Noir by bidding on his case donation for the raffle! A purveyor of small-batch, terroir-driven Pinot Noir wines, Proprietor Ludovic Lacourte has teamed up with winemaker G.W. Lussier and draws inspiration from his grandfather’s wines and vineyards in Chateau-Chalon, a village in France’s Jura cool-climate wine region.
Second-time attendees…
They came, they poured and they’re back for more – Berryessa Gap Vineyards Estate Winery and Harpe Ranch Wines are among those set to make second appearances at Pinot Noir Fest. Berryessa, based in nearby Winters along the east end of Highway 128, will be back with its Pinot Noir crafted from prized estate grapes.
Last year, Wine & Spirits Editor Patrick Comiskey sabered for the very first time with their wine. Philo’s Harpe Ranch Wines will also return, with Toulouse and Minus Tide Winemaker Brad Jonas taking over the reins to help craft these beautiful wines.
Returning for the third time…
This year’s festival also features the triumphant return of Brashley Vineyards, a family-owned Anderson Valley winery and tasting room led by Ashley Palm. A fast favorite among past Pinot Fest attendees, Brashley and its new winemaker, Ashley Holland, will bring a variety of blends to the table, including Estate Pinot Noir, Rosé of Pinot and White Pinot varieties.
Brashley also operates a dog- and kid-friendly tasting room in Philo (700 CA-128, Philo), where you can sip and sample Brashley’s Pinot Noirs as well as other fan-favorite wine varieties. On Monday’s you can pop in for an oven fired pizza by Chef Sean.
Past event attendees may also recognize Grant Vineyards and its winemaker, James MacPhail. MacPhail began making Anderson Valley Pinot Noir back in 2002 at the private Philo vineyard. Due to the absence of an onsite tasting room, Pinot Fest is one of few places you can get a taste of the environmentally conscious wine purveyor’s Pinot offerings.
Weatherborne Wine Corp.
Weatherborne Wine Corp. will also appear for a third time, serving up its second Anderson Valley Pinot Noir sourced from Helluva Vineyard. Winemaker Cris Carter relocated to Anderson Valley in 2018 from Southern California, where he produced Pinot varieties in the Santa Rita Hills near Santa Barbara. Stop by for a taste during the festival and sip on Weatherborne’s other offerings, including Grenache and Chenin Blanc, at the winery’s Philo tasting room (8750 Philo School Road) in the wood mill building.
Cobb Wines
Cobb Wines, a 14-acre vineyard based in Occidental, California, is planning to make its third appearance at Pinot Fest, with Winemaker Ross Cobb following in his father’s footsteps by producing traditional, old-world Pinot Noir from the West Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley.
Calstar Cellars
Calstar Cellars also returns for a third time with winemaker and proprietor, Rick Davis! Rick began in 2001 with the goal of producing exclusive, hand-crafted wines with a food-friendly focus. Rick selects the highest quality fruit from award winning vineyards with site-specific character in Northern California, and fell in love with Anderson Valley many years ago! Swing by and ask him about how Anderson Valley Pinot Noir differs from other sites he makes wine from.
Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast well-versed in Pinot Noir characteristics or a first-time event attendee, the 25th annual Pinot Noir Festival promises an unparalleled celebration of the diverse winemaking culture of Anderson Valley. Don’t miss this chance to savor the craftsmanship of local winemakers, explore Northern California wineries and the unique terroir that shapes each bottle, and immerse yourself in the essence of Anderson Valley’s rich winemaking legacy.
~ Courtney DeGraff
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