Truckee River Winery

Owner and winemaker Russ Jones as been making wine for more than twenty years. Russ is the child of two snow ski instructors and grew up with skis on his feet. He left the snow and obtained an enology degree from University of California at Davis in 1983 and received his winemaking training in Paso Robles and Oregon. Inspired by Williamette Valley Pinot Noir, he decided to focus on that varietal.

Truckee River Winery was opened in 1989 and is the highest and coldest winery in California. The climate naturally cools fermentation and slows down the barrel aging process. The signature Pinot Noir is sourced from Garys' Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

The family winery is housed in a bright red barn and duties are shared by his wife Joan and their young daughter Katy. Not a bad life: ski powder in the morning and make wine in the afternoon.

A tasting room is open Weds through Monday from 12:00 to 7:00 at 11467 Brockway Rd in Truckee. The wines are featured at many local restaurants and retail stores around Lake Tahoe and Truckee.

See also Vol 4, Issue 12 (November 15, 2004) of the PinotFile.