Along the Sonoma Coast, high on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean and barely accessible, sits Fort Ross Vineyards and Winery, home of the finest Pinot Noirs in California. It meets all the demands of this “queen” of the wine grapes: high elevation, a coastal strip with plenty of sun and night time fog blanketing the vineyard during growing season.
The Sonoma Coast-Seaview is the region’s newest AVA covering 27,500 acres due to its distinctive identity, a zone that has a maritime flavor to it. The area is teeming with history of a different sort. Fort Ross was a Russian outpost in the western world and two hundred years ago they established the enclave.
The Russians thought they were in the Caribbean and liked the area so much they brought in grapestock from Peru. Shortly after, the American government purchased the land from the Russians, along with Alaska, but the Russians fondness for the area carries over to this day.
“We are bottling a special 200th Anniversary of Fort Ross Pinot Noir for the occasion and helping to plan festivities,” said owner Linda Schwartz.
The only funding for the celebration is coming from the Russians due to their part in the history of the area.”
Linda and her husband Lester came from Cape Town South Africa and emigrated to San Francisco, he as a practicing attorney. Yearning for a farming life, they purchased the land that is now their vineyard of some 50 acres and found that Pinot Noir flourished along with Chardonnay. All grapes are estate grown. The land gets more rainfall than the Amazon Jungle, averaging 75 inches per year on the 1,800 foot high ridges. All harvesting is done by hand. It is the closest winery to the Pacific Ocean.
You will find vibrant, black colors in Fort Ross Pinot., kept in French Oak barrels. The Pinot Noir production is on 40 acres with 24 blocks. Total production is 4,000 cases per year.
My favorite of the four current Pinot releases was the 2007 Reserve, that proved to me that Pinot can be aged gracefully and mature with a beautiful intensity. This one had high scores with its black currant and orange pekoe tea complexity. It had mineral notes with a velvet cast. 344 cases were made with barrel aging of 10 months. ( $49. at the winery). Other Pinot Noirs to look for include: 2008 with dark plum and vanilla flavors; 2,064 cases made ($37.), and the 2010 Sea Slopes with boysenberry
and raspberry notes; 973 cases ( $26.). Learn more about this fascinating winery at www.fortrossvineyard.com.
Wine & Dine RADIO Has Food/Drink News
Ron James (Co-Executive Producer), left, hosts Wine & Dine Radio, with commentary by show regulars David Nelson, Frank Mangio, Mike Bragg (Co-Executive Producer) and Caron Golden.
Ron James (Co-Executive Producer), left, hosts Wine & Dine Radio, with commentary by show regulars David Nelson, Frank Mangio, Mike Bragg (Co-Executive Producer) and Caron Golden.
Now into its 2nd month on the air at KFSD 1450 AM on the dial in San Diego, each Saturday from 1 to 2pm, Wine & Wine RADIO is truly a feast for listener’s ears.
Ron James, long-time industry professional moderates a panel of experts of the wine and dine scene who are passionate about food and drink.
The show is lively and leans on guest appearances by Executive Chefs and Winemakers with trendy ideas. Food and wine enthusiasts in San Diego and anywhere can hear the show on their computers and smart phones as it is streamed live and available on-demand anytime.
Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. He is one of the leading wine commentators on the web. View and link up with his columns at www.tasteofwinetv.com. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com.
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