Dec 30, 2022
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Turtle Vines
| Owner(s) | Doug Williams, Joanne Williams |
| Web site | www.turtlevines.com |
| Link to this site |
Doug and Joanne Williams enlisted the help of noted viticulturist Greg Adams to plant a vineyard in the southern end of the Russian River Valley, very close to the town of Sebastopol. The Turtle Vines Vineyard is hand-farmed organically. Clones are Pommard and 667. The vines are densely spaced and oriented to taken advantage of the sun for optimum ripening.
The owners are former engineers and foodies. Joanne is a food blogger and cookbook author and insists that the wines be food friendly. Doug who has taken formal classes in winemaking and learned from many winegrowers and winemakers in Sonoma County, manages the vineyard and crafts the wine.
The name of the vineyard and winery stems from Joanne's love of turtles which dates to her childhood. Turtles are her spirit animal and many turtles of various sizes are found on the vineyard property.
Turtle wines are sold through a mailing list.
Articles About Turtle Vines
Reviewed Wines
2015 Turtle Vines Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., $25. From an organically farmed vineyard in
Sebastopol owned by Doug and Joanne Williams.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry,
underbrush, wood pile and beet root lead to a mid weight styled wine with fruit flavors of cherry and red berry
accompanied by a vegetal back note. Silky in the mouth, with good acid/tannin balance, and some cherry
goodness on the finish.
Score: 87.
Reviewed May 7, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Turtle Vines Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.90, TA 0.58, $34. 50% Pommard and
50% Dijon 667 clones from an estate vineyard planted in 2010. 5% whole clusters. Aged in 25% new French
oak.
·
Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. The nose is flush with earthy flora and savory herb aromas.
The palate is more fruity, offering middleweight spiced cherry flavor with a pinch of smoky oak. Very sleek and
silky with invisible tannins.
Score: 89.
Reviewed February 5, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Turtle Vines Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alcohol, pH 3.79, TA 0.58, 30
cases, $34. 80% Pommard, 20% 667. Harvest Brix 24ยบ. 5-day cold soak, 100% destemmed,
not crushed. 5% whole cluster fermentation. Aged in Flextanks with 20%
French oak.
·
Moderate light cherry color in the glass. Aromas of red cherry, spice, and
Herbs de Provence. Light in weight, but flavorful, with a good mid palate attack of cherry
and raspberry fruits complimented by a hint of oak. Light on its feet and easy to cozy up to,
with a refreshing cut of acidity on the finish.
Score: 88-89.
Reviewed January 23, 2015
ARTICLE »
2015 Turtle Vines Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., $25. From an organically farmed vineyard in Sebastopol owned by Doug and Joanne Williams. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, underbrush, wood pile and beet root lead to a mid weight styled wine with fruit flavors of cherry and red berry accompanied by a vegetal back note. Silky in the mouth, with good acid/tannin balance, and some cherry goodness on the finish. Score: 87. Reviewed May 7, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Turtle Vines Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.90, TA 0.58, $34. 50% Pommard and 50% Dijon 667 clones from an estate vineyard planted in 2010. 5% whole clusters. Aged in 25% new French oak. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. The nose is flush with earthy flora and savory herb aromas. The palate is more fruity, offering middleweight spiced cherry flavor with a pinch of smoky oak. Very sleek and silky with invisible tannins. Score: 89. Reviewed February 5, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 Turtle Vines Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alcohol, pH 3.79, TA 0.58, 30 cases, $34. 80% Pommard, 20% 667. Harvest Brix 24ยบ. 5-day cold soak, 100% destemmed, not crushed. 5% whole cluster fermentation. Aged in Flextanks with 20% French oak. · Moderate light cherry color in the glass. Aromas of red cherry, spice, and Herbs de Provence. Light in weight, but flavorful, with a good mid palate attack of cherry and raspberry fruits complimented by a hint of oak. Light on its feet and easy to cozy up to, with a refreshing cut of acidity on the finish. Score: 88-89. Reviewed January 23, 2015 ARTICLE »