Anderson Valley Varietals

Anderson Valley, located less than 100 miles north of San Francisco, is an area blessed with a temperate cool coastal climate. Classified in viticultural terms as a Region 1 growing area, this designates it as the coolest climate in which grapes may be commercially grown with any success. The combination of warm sunny days and cool foggy nights and mornings allow the grapes from this region to mature slowly and to develop to the height of their varietal character. The planted acreage in the Anderson Valley consists primarily of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and White Riesling. There are also small acreages of other varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. "Pinot is a hard grape to grow….It’s thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. It’s not a survivor like Cabernet that can grow anywhere and thrive when neglected. Pinot needs constant care and attention and in fact can only grow in specific little tucked-away corners of the world. And only the most patient and nurturing growers can do it really, can tap into Pinot’s most fragile, delicate qualities. Only when someone has taken the time to truly understand its potential can Pinot be coaxed into its fullest expression. And when that happens, its flavors are the most haunting and brilliant and subtle and thrilling and ancient on the planet." From the screenplay by Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor of the novel, Sideways, by Rex Pickett. Characteristics of the Anderson Valley’s four most widely planted varietals are as follows: PINOT NOIR Recognized as one of the outstanding red wine grapes, Pinot Noir is well adapted to Anderson Valley. For sparkling wine production, the characteristic small tight clusters are picked early at lower sugar levels. Left to mature further, the grapes are harvested to make what are rapidly becoming some of the best Pinot Noirs from California. Made in a variety of styles, Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs exhibit fruit in the mouth as well as in the aroma. This varietal goes well with many types of wild game, stews, broiled meats, and wild fowl in rich sauces. CHARDONNAY Perfectly adapted to the cool growing conditions, Anderson Valley Chardonnay produces wines of distinctive character. As with Pinot Noir, much of the Chardonnay is harvested at low sugars and directed towards sparkling wine production. The remainder is made into rich full-bodied table wines with a hint of ripe apples. Made to drink with food, Chardonnay goes well with almost any dish containing poultry, seafood, or cheese. GEWÜRZTRAMINER Grown for several centuries in Germany, Gewürztraminer also grows well in Anderson Valley. As suggested by the name, Gewürztraminers from the valley possess pronounced spicy, aromatic flavors. Grown in this cool area, the acids remain at a level which allows the production of still wines with a nice balance. Because it ripens early, there are many years when the grapes are left to hang until they reach a higher sugar content. This fruit is used to produce sweet “late harvest” dessert wines. Gewürztraminer is a very versatile wine and goes well with many foods ranging from seafood to fowl. When left with a hint of residual sugar, this wine is excellent all by itself as a refreshing drink on a warm day. The sweeter “late harvest” wines go well with many desserts. WHITE RIESLING The wines produced from Anderson Valley White Riesling display flowery aromas and exhibit a nice balance between freshness and fruit. An excellent varietal for our cool coastal area, Anderson Valley White Riesling has consistently made outstanding table wines and excellent “late harvest” and cluster selected dessert wines. These dessert wines are made from grapes infected with the noble rot Botrytis cinerea. The resulting wines have a honey sweet richness buffered with the acidity naturally present in the grapes. Excellent with pork and fowl, White Riesling also goes well with oriental cuisine.