In 1996, building on the tradition of excellence they established at Duckhorn Vineyards, Dan and Margaret Duckhorn embraced their growing love of Pinot Noir and came to Anderson Valley to found Goldeneye. In the years since, Anderson Valley has earned acclaim as one of the world’s greatest regions for Pinot Noir. Crafted predominantly from our estate vineyards and shaped by the influence of the wind, water and fog, this wine embodies both the elegance of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, and its deep, rustic beauty.

Wine Profile

Production Notes
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir - 48% estate fruit

Winemaker Notes
Lush, layered and complex, this enticing Pinot Noir draws you in with aromas of ripe raspberry and black cherry, as well as notions of pennyroyal, clove and sweet baking spices. On the palate supple tannins and elegantly balanced acidity frame juicy flavors of blackberry and Bing cherry, with savory hints of nutmeg, leather and breakfast tea emerging on the long, robust finish. .

Production
After a dry winter we received a bit of welcome rainfall in early March followed by a mild warm-up that helped to push the first buds. By mid-April, all three estate vineyards had reached 100% budbreak, with healthy balanced vines throughout the valley. Summer was dry and mild, with a few hot days to help promote even ripening. We harvested Chardonnay for our sparkling wines beginning in mid-August, with our first Pinot Noir at the start of September. After a late-August heatwave, harvest began in earnest until a natural cool-down slowed the pace, and our last pick was on October 6th. Another stellar vintage in Anderson Valley, the quality of the fruit was exceptional, producing incredibly concentrated, flavorful and aromatic wines.

Fresh and lively with perfumed black raspberry and cherry aromatics wrapped in rustic forest floor notes. Juicy Bing cherry, savory herbs, and ripe dark berries create a complex and textured palate with acid structure and balance leading to a delightfully engaging finish.

WINEMAKER NOTES

Grapes are picked at night followed by hand sorting before the fruit is gravity fed to tank for a long natural fermentation using an overall average of 8% whole clusters in the final blend. Regular punch downs result in a wine of great structure and focus with a distinctive spice character of earth and clove which is prevalent in this area of the western Sonoma Coast. The 2021 Pinot Noir is fresh and lively with perfumed black raspberry and cherry aromatics wrapped in rustic forest floor notes. Juicy Bing cherry, savory herbs, and ripe dark berries create a complex and textured palate with acid structure and balance leading to a delightfully engaging finish.

PROFILE: Lush and jammy with salted caramel notes.

CELLARMASTER SELECT: Aged 75 days in brandy barrels.

TASTING NOTES
Cooper & Thief Pinot Noir offers the bright red fruit aromas of a classic Pinot Noir blended with spiced notes from our brandy barrels. Lush and jammy flavours of Rainier cherries and baking spice mélange dance across the tongue, finishing with a warm, oak-driven embrace.

Mark West Black Pinot Noir sources grapes from the premier regions of the Central Coast in California. Dark, plush and rich in flavor, each glass has intense notes of black cherry, mocha, vanilla and caramel. Our full-bodied Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with grilled lamb chops and filet mignon.

Tasting Notes: Black Cherry, Mocha, Vanilla, Caramel

OUR STORY

Belle Glos showcases distinctive Pinot Noirs produced from California’s most noteworthy coastal wine-growing regions.

While each vineyard location lies near the Pacific Ocean, the climate differences are significant, varying with the amount of fog, wind, sunlight, and soil type at each site. Each Vineyard Designate is crafted to distill the purest essence of the locale into elegant expressions of California Pinot Noir.

Owner/winemaker, Joe Wagner chose the name Belle Glos (pronounced “BELL GLOSS”) to honor his grandmother, Lorna Belle Glos Wagner. Lorna was a co-founder of Caymus Vineyards, an inspirational figure to Joseph and an avid lover of Pinot Noir.

RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

Once a dairy farm and pastureland, this vineyard has realized its greatest potential as a prime, virgin Pinot Noir vineyard. It was first planted in 2000 to a mix of Dijon clones 115, 667, and 777, all grafted on low-vigor rootstock 101-14.

We harvested early in the morning so the fruit would arrive at the winery while the grapes were still cool to preserve the vineyard-fresh flavors. After destemming (but not crushing) the berries, we cold-soaked the fruit for up to two weeks to soften the skins and allow for ideal extraction. During fermentation in a combination of closed and open-top stainless steel fermenters, we used both punch-downs and pump-overs to extract color and tannins, and also to control temperatures and maximize flavors. We aged the wine in 100% French oak (60% new) for up to nine months. After the wine underwent malolactic fermentation, we racked it twice before making the final blend.

Tasting Notes

Deep garnet in color with abundant aromas of sun-warmed black cherry, raspberry compote, and dark chocolate followed by hints of cedar and black currant. Bold and rich tones layered with flavors of fresh strawberry cobbler and bramble accompanied by notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. This wine has rich tannins, nice concentration, depth, and natural acidity that expresses the authenticity of a Sonoma County Pinot Noir.

Tasting Notes
Powerful notes of brambly fruits, cola and spice are backed by toasty oak providing exceptional depth, length and texture.

Vineyard Notes
Sourced from the Sta. Rita Hills near Santa Barbara, this is a big, rich California Pinot Noir that serves as a wonderful complement to our Chardonnay. The coastal influence of this region highlights the fruit’s natural acidity and provides for an elegant presentation from start to finish.

Winemaker Notes
100% Pinot Noir sourced from La Viña Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills. Submerged cap fermented in 100% stainless steel. Barrel aged for 10 months in French oak. Bottle aged for 12 months prior to release.

Blended from three of the most coveted vineyards in the Russian River Valley, the 2022 vintage was marked by near-perfect weather conditions. The resulting wine is generous yet soft, with notes of strawberry preserves and fresh rain on the forest floor.

TASTING NOTES

Aromas of fresh raspberry compote are complemented by notes of baking spice, and fresh rain on a forest floor. Generous-yet-soft strawberry preserve flavors expand on the palate, with elegant, silky tannins. A mouthwatering acidity glides across the finish.

DESCRIPTION

Crisp crimson in the glass, the 2021 Slander opens with notes of wild strawberry, pomegranate, Bing cherry and cedar. Secondary aromatics abound, with hints of redwood grove underbrush, white pepper and earth. Delicate on entry, the palate is flooding with red plum, cherry cola, rhubarb and spices. A touch of cocoa powder on the finish, the wine closes with confident acidity and length.

Aged for 8 months in French Oak, 32% new.

Discover the Sensational Slander Orin Swift Cellars 2018 Pinot Noir! Uncover the Secrets of this Exquisite Vintage. Limited Stock Available. Order Now!

Hailing from the sun-soaked California vineyards, the 2021 Dark Horse Pinot Noir stands as a luminous and harmonious wine. Its stunning garnet hue heralds an aromatic introduction, boasting the luscious scents of ripe strawberry and Bing cherry, subtly enhanced by traces of dried rose and lavender. Its velvety texture caresses the palate, guiding towards a satisfyingly moderate yet lingering conclusion. Within this finale lies a tapestry of flavors—cherry compote takes center stage, while nuances of plum, strawberry, and a delicate hint of tomato leaf add complexity and depth to this captivating wine.

Building on the traditions established by our acclaimed Goldeneye and Migration wines, Decoy Pinot Noir expands our exploration of the depth and diversity of this varietal to California wine growing. Highlighting a distinctly plush and approachable expression of Pinot Noir, Decoy is crafted to be ready upon release.

Winemaker Notes
This lush and alluring Pinot Noir draws you in with aromas of black cherry, wild strawberry, red currant, black tea and sage, as well as rustic hints of earthy forest floor. On the palate, the generous ripe berry flavors are framed by bright, balanced acidity and refined tannins that carry the wine to a long, silky finish.

A beautiful mix of red and blue fruit on the nose unfolds with distinctive layers of violets, spice notes, and the fresh, haunting quality of an evergreen forest. Hints of blueberries join a burst of cherry on the palate, grounded and brightened in equal measure by fine-grained tannins and deliciously juicy acidity.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

VINEYARDS 
Together, with our vineyard partners, our Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a reflection of the unique characteristics of our estates: coastal influence, elevation, topography, and unique soils. To craft this wine, we work with vineyards from like-minded growers that reflect the energy and purity of this coastal and natural region. Some of our long-standing vineyard partners are Anderson-Ross Vineyard, Wildcat Mountain Vineyard, and Bohan Ranch, along with our Camp Meeting Ridge Estate. 

OUR STORY

Belle Glos showcases distinctive Pinot Noirs produced from California’s most noteworthy coastal wine-growing regions. While each vineyard location lies near the Pacific Ocean, the climate differences are significant, varying with the amount of fog, wind, sunlight, and soil type at each site. Each Vineyard Designate is crafted to distill the purest essence of the locale into elegant expressions of California Pinot Noir. Owner/winemaker, Joe Wagner chose the name Belle Glos (pronounced “BELL GLOSS”) to honor his grandmother, Lorna Belle Glos Wagner. Lorna was a co-founder of Caymus Vineyards, an inspirational figure to Joseph and an avid lover of Pinot Noir.

Belle Glos Pinot Noir Clark & Telephone 2019 has Deep ruby red color with lush aromas of ripe cherry, nutmeg, and dark chocolate laced with clove, cedar, and lightly toasted oak. Bold and unctuous on the palate with dark ripe fruit, baking spices, cocoa, and blueberry pie filling. The texture is rich and velvety which leads to a long, structured finish.

Bing cherry, fresh strawberry, and orange zest lead into a velvety, smooth palate of red plum, violet, and earthiness with a lingering finish.

Tasting Notes
Bing cherry, fresh strawberry, and orange zest on the nose. The palate is supple and velvety, driven by red fruits with floral violet notes and a subtle earthiness emblematic of the Russian River Valley. This luscious Pinot Noir is bright, clean, well-structured, and has a lingering, fruit-forward finish.

Production Notes
Grapes were hand-picked, hand-sorted, and 100% de-stemmed. They underwent a five-day cold maceration followed by fermentation in small, open-top tanks in which a selection of native and inoculated yeasts were utilized along with daily punch-downs by hand to enhance flavor. Wine was aged in oak barrels for 11 months sur lie with battonage (light stirring) in the barrels every other week.

Winemaking Notes

This wine opens with a hint of minerality before notes of ripe strawberry and cherry fruit fill your senses. Toasted marshmallow, baking spice and creamy tones follow in a nod to the choice of oak barrels. The rich mouth is balanced with acidity underpinning flavors of cherry, spice and savory notes. The finish is elegant, showing classic flavors of cherry compote and toasted oak through the end.

History

Davis Bynum Pinot Noir showcases terroir: differences in flavor from distinct sites in the Russian River Valley. Our Russian River Valley Pinot Noir blends the characters of three distinct Russian River Valley neighborhoods and select blocks from the Petaluma Gap to create a wine with richness, balance and complexity. The darker fruit tones, richer mouthfeel and velvety tannins come from fruit grown in the warmer climate of the Santa Rosa Plains with its clay-rich soils underlain by volcanic ash. The fruit grown on the sandy soil of the warm Middle Reach neighborhood on Westside Road add to the spice, floral and red cherry fruit tones. The fruit from vineyards in the much cooler Green Valley neighborhood add fresh blueberry and vibrant acidity from the lauded Goldridge sandy loam soils. And a select piece from our hillside vineyard in the Petaluma Gap, within view of San Pablo Bay, adds racy acidity and briary fruit to the blend.

In the early 1800’s, New York produced more than half the young nation’s Barley and Rye and the Hudson Valley was the country’s breadbasket. With abundant high quality grain, local craft spirits flourished and over 1000 farm distilleries produced Whiskey and Gin reflecting the unique terroir of the region. In the 1930’s, Prohibition forced these distilleries to shut their doors and this wellspring of American spirits was left dry.

Hillrock Estate Distillery is changing this. Our mission is to produce the finest hand-crafted spirits made with our own grain, floor malted, craft distilled in our copper pot still, aged in fine oak and hand bottled at our estate in the Hudson Valley Highlands. Crowned by a fine 1806 Georgian house built by a successful grain merchant and Revolutionary War Captain and meticulously restored to its original beauty, Hillrock Distillery overlooks our rolling barley fields and the distant Berkshire Mountains. Like our premier spirits, every detail refined, no expense spared, quality steeped in the tradition of 200 years of rich history.

Hillrock is proud to be one of the few “field-to-glass” whiskey producers in the world and the first USA distillery since before Prohibition to floor malt and hand craft whiskey on site from estate grown grain. Hillrock’s commitment to quality embodies the rich history of artisanal distilling in the Hudson Valley. By controlling every aspect of production from planting & harvesting heirloom grains, to smoking our malt, to crafting whiskies in our copper pot still, to aging in small oak barrels and hand bottling, we are able to create the highest quality whiskies reflecting the unique local terroir.

After aging in Hillrock's Solera and Oloroso Sherry casks, this unique American whiskey is then finished in fine Shea Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir wine casks. The multi-barrel aging of this copper/amber whiskey with slight chestnut hues offers a nose full of bright red fruit (ripe cherries, blackberry and plums) and sweet desserts (taffy, crème brûlée, creamy caramel and candied almonds). Warm vanilla and cherries, with sweet notes of toffee and French oak complimented by a bouquet of floral and fruity notes – complete the palate before leading to lingering rye spice, dried plums, allspice, nutmeg and vanilla flavors.

THE ART OF FINE CRAFT DISTILLING HAS MADE THE JOURNEY HOME…

ABOUT THE PRISONER

When our first wine, The Prisoner, was released two decades ago as a complex blend of some of California’s best and most unusual grape varieties, it swiftly and permanently changed the perception of what a red blend wine could be. 

Since then, we’ve grown to include a range of rule-bending blends with provocative label designs, being recognized by fans and wine critics alike as one of the most bold and innovative wine brands in the market, leading the resurgence of California luxury red blends and earning “cult” wine status.

Today, our Director of Winemaking Chrissy Wittmann and her team work with over 100 growers in northern California, bringing together exceptional fruit to produce a family of intriguing wines unrestricted by tradition.  The Prisoner Wine Company is located on the legendary Highway29 in Napa Valley and welcomes visitors year-round for unexpected, immersive experiences.

From the most recognized Napa Valley red blend comes a bold, new wine. Made in the same iconic style as The Prisoner Red Blend, we proudly introduce The Prisoner Pinot Noir. Redefining taste once again.

Blend: Pinot Noir | Syrah

Aroma: Cherry | Dried Herbs | Cinnamon Spice

Tasting Notes: Strawberry Jam | Hint of Toast | Vanilla

Maker Notes

VINEYARDS
Our Falcon’s Perch Pinot Noir is produced from cool climate grapes grown in the Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands regions of central Monterey County. This area has earned a well-deserved reputation for producing world-class Pinot Noir. Over the past two decades, the introduction of Dijon clones of Pinot Noir, along with the old standby Pommard clone, has dramatically increased the quality of the varietal here. These newer clones are the backbone of this release of Falcon’s Perch. The wine was named for the bird which had made its home in the lone pine tree among the vines, safeguarding the grapes from vertebrate pests while preserving the ecosystem’s natural balance.

VINTAGE
Monterey County underwent an especially dry winter and spring in 2021. Although dry, spring and summer temperatures were mild, with daytime temperatures between flower bloom and veraison well below average. Pinot Noir crop yields were modest in 2021 and the cool but dry weather allowed for slow ripening and retention of the delicate, expressive aromatics found in this noble grape. We began harvesting Pinot Noir on the morning of September 25th in the Santa Lucia Highlands and moved to our vineyards in the Arroyo Seco four days later. Approximately 15% of the fruit was fermented whole cluster, with stems, to accentuate the spicy strawberry notes that Monterey Pinot Noir is prized for. About 20% of the blend was aged in 2nd and 3rd-fill French oak barrels, while the remainder was aged in tank, on light lees with batonnage - to preserve freshness and retain the vintage’s nuanced varietal character.