PINOT DAYS Jan. 15, 2011 Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, by Mary Bradway and Terri Templeton

We were honored to be ableto attend the Pinot Days Media Tasting. Some of our favorite wineries were (See photos above):
  • Alma Rosa
  • Cargasachi Wines
  • Clos Pepe Estate
  • Domaine Chandon
  • Flying Goat
  • Goldeneye Winery
  • Handley Cellars
  • Ken Brown Wines
  • Kenneth Volk
  • MacMurray Ranch
  • Siduri Wines
  • Suacci Carciere
  • Testarossa Winery
  • Willamette Valley Vineyards
  • Zotovich
         It was interestingto be able to note the distinct differences between the Santa Rita Hills,Anderson Valley, Russian River and Willamette Valley pinot noirs.  Each has their own bouquet indicativeto their terrior. 
         We are in agreementthat the 2007 pinot noir is good across the board, but there are several 2009vintages we tasted that we think are stellar and will be more so with moretime.  We met the winemaker JoelBurt at Domaine Chandon who gave us some nice info on his pinot meunier wine aswell as Peter Cargasachi who has farmed grapes for Santa Rita Hills for a manyyears and has his grapes bottled by Ken Brown.  It was nice to talk to Richard Sanford at Alma Rosa(organically farmed winery) who has been growing grapes in the Santa Rita Hillsfor 40 years and who is the founder of the famous Sanford Winery.  We also enjoyed our long chat withKenneth Volk as well as his many pinot noirs that he had for tasting.
         A big thank you toRex Pickett (author of the famous book and movie “Sideways”) who wassigning his sequel book to “Sideways” called”Vertical”.  We got ourbooks signed as well as a picture with him.  What a funny fellow he is; we enjoyed our chat with him aswell.
        
            Kudosto Flying Goat for their affordable “YNOT” 2009 Santa Barbara CountyPinot available directly from the Goat.
            Agreat PINOT day!