Dec 30, 2022
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Scribe Winery
| Owner(s) | Kristof Anderson, Andrew Avellar, Adam Mariani, Andrew Mariani |
| Web site | www.scribewinery.com |
| Link to this site |
Proprietor brothers Adam and Andrew Mariani acquired 256 acres which included a waning turkey farm in 2007 three miles east of the Sonoma Town Square in Carneros that has a long and colorful history. Scribe's neighbor is Gundlach Bundschu. The site dates to 1858 when Emil Dresel and his brother Julius established the wine property. They may have planted the first Riesling and Silvaner vines in the United States.
The Mariani brothers grew up in Winters farming walnuts and almonds, and enjoyed it enough that they longed for a life in agriculture. After working at wineries in Europe, they found an estate of their own in Carneros.
Along with partners Kristof Anderson and Andrew Avellar, the trio is revitalizing the property and growing 35 acres of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sylvaner with the first plantings going in the ground in 2008. Initially, as the young vines matured, the wines were crafted from purchased grapes from Carneros and leased vineyard property in Napa. The first estate vine came in 2011. A winery is planned that will be built to preserve the turkey shed imprint and honor the history of the property. A 100+-year-old hacienda on the property awaits renovation.
The 2007-2010 Scribe Carneros Pinot Noir consists of 125 cases priced at $42. A recent write up in Food & Wine Magazine indicates that membership in the Scribe Viticultural Society is worth considering not only for the wine but to gain access to events at the Scribe Estate. Mariani has a group of Bay Area chefs as pals including Alice Waters (Mariana dated her daughter) and any number of them may show up at the wine estate holding forth at an outdoor kitchen and wood-fired oven.
Tastings by appointment only, 2300 Napa Rd. in Sonoma (707-939-1858).
Articles About Scribe Winery
2012 Chardonnay All-Americans (9.17 12/26/2012)
Four Winery Encounters Leave Prince Relishing His Good Fortune (9.5 4/4/2012)
On the California Wine Trail (9.13 10/26/2012)
Pinot Briefs (9.21 3/23/2013)
Pinot Noir Rosé is REAL Wine...Honestly (10.29 4/22/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay & Outliers (9.43 7/19/2014)
Reviewed Wines
2015 Scribe Estate IV Odd Angel Sonoma Rosé
12.0% alc., pH 3.23, TA 0.78, $38. Harvest Brix 21º. Blend
of fruit from Estate and Carneros vineyards. Whole cluster pressed followed by a long, cold fermentation in
stainless steel tanks.
·
Moderately light pinkish orange color in the glass. Upon opening, bright aromas of pear,
strawberry, lime and pink grapefruit leap from the glass. Luscious, yet crisp on the palate, with flavors of
strawberry, peach, pink grapefruit and a subtle petrol note. A wine of admirable intensity and purpose that
finishes dry.
Score: 90.
Reviewed April 22, 2016
ARTICLE »
2012 Scribe Winery VI. The Hunter Carneros Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $40.
·
Moderately light reddish
purple color in the glass. Some nice Bing cherry and spice aromas show up on the nose, but are
overwhelmed by smoky oak. Relatively light and easy to drink, with flavors of red cherry, cranberry
and strawberry. Silky in the mouth with a generous oak overlay. (Disclaimer - my son, Dane,
works at Scribe Winery and did not submit this wine for review)
Score: 87.
Reviewed July 19, 2014
ARTICLE »
2011 Scribe Carneros Chardonnay
12.5% alc., 900 cases, $38. From a nearby vineyard farmed
organically by owner who is Scribe’s vineyard manager. 80% Robert Young clone and 20% clone 76.
Natural primary fermentation, no malolactic fermentation, slightly extended lees contact, 100%
stainless steel (no oak). Light straw color in the glass.
·
Light straw color in the glass. Very
fresh array of aromas that dance in and out including lemon, passion fruit, straw, nuts and vanilla
cream. Crisp, clean and bright with flavors of lemon, white peach and a hint of banana brought into
focus with uplifting acidity. A touch of minerality adds to the pleasure. A pleasing, food-friendly wine.
Very good.
Reviewed October 26, 2012
ARTICLE »
2011 Scribe Carneros Pinot Noir
13.1% alc., 350 cases, $42. Sourced from
the bayside flatlands of Carneros. Yields 4 tons per acre. Wild yeast
fermentation. Aged 5 months in neutral French oak.
·
Moderately light reddishpurple
color in the glass. Very enticing aromas of black cherries, black
raspberries, Middle Eastern spice, and a hint of tar and smoke. The mid-weight
flavors echo the nose, supported by gossamer tannins and good acidity, and
showing very gentle oak highlights. Highly enjoyable and easy to drink, the
refreshing cherry-driven finish urges you to take another sip. This is Pinot Noir
unplugged and offers what many Pinot lovers crave: wonderful, soft, highly
approachable fruit flavors linked with a relatively low alcohol percentage. Even
better when accompanied by food. Tasted twice. Very good.
Reviewed October 26, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Scribe Carneros Pinot Noir
13.1% alc., 350 cases, $42. Indigenous
fermentation, aged 5 months in neutral French oak and bottled unfiltered.
·
Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Effusive nose offering scents of Bing
cherries, ripe raspberries, musk, cola and vanillin. A festival of cherry and dark
red berry flavors with a slight exotic and confected bent. Plush on the palate
with supple tannins and a hint of smoky oak in the background. A cozy wine that
is nicely balanced and user friendly. Very good.
Reviewed November 29, 2011
ARTICLE »
2010 Scribe Carneros Pinot Noir
13.4% alc., 350 cases, $42. Martini and Pommard clones. 17-year-old
vineyard. Harvested at 22º Brix, native yeast fermentation, aged 5 months in neutral French oak barrels, and
bottled unfined and unfiltered.
·
Bright, unadorned and pleasing cherry aromas and flavors picking up liveliness
and interest over time in the glass as the wine warmed. This style of Pinot Noir has become popular for its easy
upfront drink ability and refreshing fruity qualities. Very good.
Reviewed April 4, 2012
ARTICLE »
2015 Scribe Estate IV Odd Angel Sonoma Rosé
12.0% alc., pH 3.23, TA 0.78, $38. Harvest Brix 21º. Blend of fruit from Estate and Carneros vineyards. Whole cluster pressed followed by a long, cold fermentation in stainless steel tanks. · Moderately light pinkish orange color in the glass. Upon opening, bright aromas of pear, strawberry, lime and pink grapefruit leap from the glass. Luscious, yet crisp on the palate, with flavors of strawberry, peach, pink grapefruit and a subtle petrol note. A wine of admirable intensity and purpose that finishes dry. Score: 90. Reviewed April 22, 2016 ARTICLE »
2012 Scribe Winery VI. The Hunter Carneros Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $40. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Some nice Bing cherry and spice aromas show up on the nose, but are overwhelmed by smoky oak. Relatively light and easy to drink, with flavors of red cherry, cranberry and strawberry. Silky in the mouth with a generous oak overlay. (Disclaimer - my son, Dane, works at Scribe Winery and did not submit this wine for review) Score: 87. Reviewed July 19, 2014 ARTICLE »
2011 Scribe Carneros Chardonnay
12.5% alc., 900 cases, $38. From a nearby vineyard farmed organically by owner who is Scribe’s vineyard manager. 80% Robert Young clone and 20% clone 76. Natural primary fermentation, no malolactic fermentation, slightly extended lees contact, 100% stainless steel (no oak). Light straw color in the glass. · Light straw color in the glass. Very fresh array of aromas that dance in and out including lemon, passion fruit, straw, nuts and vanilla cream. Crisp, clean and bright with flavors of lemon, white peach and a hint of banana brought into focus with uplifting acidity. A touch of minerality adds to the pleasure. A pleasing, food-friendly wine. Very good. Reviewed October 26, 2012 ARTICLE »
2011 Scribe Carneros Pinot Noir
13.1% alc., 350 cases, $42. Sourced from the bayside flatlands of Carneros. Yields 4 tons per acre. Wild yeast fermentation. Aged 5 months in neutral French oak. · Moderately light reddishpurple color in the glass. Very enticing aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, Middle Eastern spice, and a hint of tar and smoke. The mid-weight flavors echo the nose, supported by gossamer tannins and good acidity, and showing very gentle oak highlights. Highly enjoyable and easy to drink, the refreshing cherry-driven finish urges you to take another sip. This is Pinot Noir unplugged and offers what many Pinot lovers crave: wonderful, soft, highly approachable fruit flavors linked with a relatively low alcohol percentage. Even better when accompanied by food. Tasted twice. Very good. Reviewed October 26, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Scribe Carneros Pinot Noir
13.1% alc., 350 cases, $42. Indigenous fermentation, aged 5 months in neutral French oak and bottled unfiltered. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Effusive nose offering scents of Bing cherries, ripe raspberries, musk, cola and vanillin. A festival of cherry and dark red berry flavors with a slight exotic and confected bent. Plush on the palate with supple tannins and a hint of smoky oak in the background. A cozy wine that is nicely balanced and user friendly. Very good. Reviewed November 29, 2011 ARTICLE »
2010 Scribe Carneros Pinot Noir
13.4% alc., 350 cases, $42. Martini and Pommard clones. 17-year-old vineyard. Harvested at 22º Brix, native yeast fermentation, aged 5 months in neutral French oak barrels, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Bright, unadorned and pleasing cherry aromas and flavors picking up liveliness and interest over time in the glass as the wine warmed. This style of Pinot Noir has become popular for its easy upfront drink ability and refreshing fruity qualities. Very good. Reviewed April 4, 2012 ARTICLE »