Kosta Browne Winery
On Saturday afternoon, November 17, the Share Our Wine Foundation of Orange County,
California, presented a tasting seminar with Michael Browne of Kosta Browne Winery to benefit local charities that provide specialized services to treat and prevent abuse and neglect of children. Attended by 100 eager wine enthusiasts, Michael graciously donated his time as well as 13 different Kosta Browne Pinot Noirs (including 2006 barrel samples and 2005 finished wines) for the tasting event. In addition, he gifted 3 magnums of 2005 Kosta Browne Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and a 5- liter engraved bottle of 2005 Kosta Brown Russian River Valley Pinot Noir for the auction. This was truly a unique tasting event, the scope of which was unprecedented in the wine community.
Michael Browne and Dan Kosta are alumni of a noted Sonoma County restaurant, John Ash and Co. Michael followed a circuitous route to get there. He was born in the San Francisco Bay Area, but grew up in Washington State. Upon returning to Santa Rosa in 1987, he enrolled in pre-requisite courses at Santa Rosa Junior College
to become an architect.. During schooling, he worked in wine retail and at a number of restaurants. It was at John Ash and Co that Michael developed a deep love for wine and food and the agricultural pursuit of winegrowing. His ultimate goal became to make a living as a winemaker.
Dan Kosta was a native of Sonoma who grew uparound wine. Dan’s father owned a wine store in Santa Rosa and wine was a frequent topic of discussion at the household dinner table. After joining the staff at John Ash & Co, Dan worked his way up to Head Sommelier. He too, had a desire to be involved in a winery, and in 1997, he teamed with Michael to make the first Kosta Browne wine. They put all of their tip money into a “co-op” cookie jar placed in the restaurant’s kitchen. After raising $2,600, they bought a half ton of Pinot Noir grapes, a single barrel, and a used, hand-cranked de-stemmer-crusher to produce their first vintage.
That same year, Michael left John Ash & Co and became assistant winemaker at Deerfield Ranch Winery
in the Sonoma Valley. Dan and Michael attracted an initial investment group and in 1999 made
2,600 cases of Lake County Sauvignon Blanc. This venture proved financially unrewarding and the
principals parted ways. In 2001, they teamed with Chris Costello and family who provided a fiscally
conservative and thoughtful business plan and success followed shortly thereafter. Michael likes to
say he learned his winemaking at “ Hard Knocks University.” It didn’t take him long to achieve a measure of recognition. The 2003 vintage was highly regarded by wine writer James Laube of the Wine Spectator.
He awarded all of the 2003 Kosta Browne Pinot Noirs scores ranging from 90 to 96. The mailing list quickly filled up and Kosta Browne was on every pinotphile’s radar. Kosta Browne quickly became a member of
the current band of prestigious Russian River Valley wine producers, many of whom had been crafting notable Pinot Noir since the 1980s. Michael (left) and Dan pictured.
Kosta Browne bounced around, sharing space in several wineries for awhile. Today, they have found a
home in the old Vacu-Dry apple processing plant in Sebastopol. Here they will be able to further refine
their craft and follow their commitment to producing better and better wines. Current production
is about 10,500 cases which is comfortable for them.
I believe Kosta Browne’s success stems from three sources. First, Dan and Michael are congenial and
customer service oriented, they are well-liked in the wine community, and are willing to support many
fund-raising activities. Secondly, they were able to use their long-standing friendships and contacts to
source top growers in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast appellations. Quality grape sources
are critical to making fine wine. The precedent for this in the Russian River Valley was set by Williams
Selyem whose success was built on acquiring fruit from vineyards such as Rochioli, Allen, Cohn (now
Benovia), Hirsch, Olivet Lane, and Ferrington. Thirdly, Michael Browne knows how to make great
Pinot Noir in a New World hedonistic style that appeals to a broad audience of wine lovers. Wine is
one of the few areas of interest where art and science come together. Having met hundreds of winemakers
in recent years, I have come to realize that some have exceptional artistic talent, much like
great musicians, painters, sculptors and chefs. It is this artistry that separates their wines from the
pack. Michael Browne is one of those winemaking artists who seems to have a touch with Pinot Noir.
The pages to follow include a summary of the Kosta Browne tasting seminar with some tasting notes of
mine combined with comments by Michael. The entire event was recorded in audio and video format
by Grape Radio and will be presented at www.graperadio.com in the near future. The moderators
were Jay (Mr. Grape Radio) Selman, and myself.
Flight One - Barrel Samples of 2006 Keefer Ranch Green Valley Pinot Noir
Keefer Ranch is located in the headwaters of Green Valley Creek, with gently sloping, well-drained,
south-facing exposure. The vineyard offers fruit that profits from a long, cool hang time resulting in
outstanding color and extract with both power and grace due to perfect tannin ripening conditions.
Green Valley is one of the smallest appellations in Sonoma County and actually lies in the southwestern
part of the Russian River Valley appellation. It is, however, distinctly delineated both geographically
and climatically from the Russian River Valley. It is consistent in terms of soil, climate and flavor
characteristics.
Defined by fog, Green Valley is the first place where the fog comes in and the last place where it
burns off, making it the coolest, foggiest part of the Russian River Valley. The predominant soil type of
Green Valley is Goldridge loam, noted for producing high quality Pinot Noir grapes. Keefer Ranch
wines exhibit the typical flavor profile of Green Valley. Pinot Noir shows ripe cherry and cranberry fruit,
spice, lively acidity, soft tannins, supple texture, and beautiful structure. Chardonnay presents a clean,
fresh, crisp, Gravenstein apple, complex citrus flavor profile, with a core of minerality, a long finish and
great focus.
Keefer Ranch was started in 1989 on the site of a former apple orchard in Sebastopol, California and is
farmed by Marcy Keefer and her son Craig Strehlow. They currently sell grapes to many notable wineries
(A.P. Vin, Failla, Freeman, Kosta Browne, Loring, Pali, Siduri), and have now begun the adventure of producing
their own wine under the label of Keefer Ranch.
2006 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir, Neutral Barrel, Clone 115 Although 115 has the most
potential of all of the Dijon clones for producing a complete wine on its own, it often stars when
blended with other clones. It is a consistent producer with small to average clusters, early ripening,
homogenous, with sugar levels above average and total acidity below average. 115 has strong color
with purplish hues, superior rich aromatics, good structure, notable tannins and is suitable for aging.
Red fruits dominate the scents and tastes. Round red cherry flavors with a kiss of spice.
2006 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir, Neutral Barrel, Clone 2A The Wädenswil clone was
imported to the United States from Switzerland in the 1950s. The clone was originally from Burgundy
but certified in Wädenswil, Switzerland, the site of a government research station for viticulture. More
widespread in Oregon, it accounts for about 1/3 of the plantings there. It is very site-specific in terms
of crop loads. 2A is often a blending component that adds finesse to a finished wine. Typically, 2A has
brilliant, hi-toned red cherry and red berry fruit. Notable Xmas spice backbone. Fills the mouth with
plush red fruits. Plenty of structure.
2006 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir, Neutral Barrel, Clone 23 The Mariafeld clone came
to the United States from Wädenswil, Switzerland in 1966. It has large blueberry-colored berries, open
clusters, resistance to bunch rot, is high-yielding, with higher acid. Typically, it offers strawberry and
farmyard aromas with spicy, soft cherry and plum flavors. Concentrated fruit with good focused acid
that adds a laser beam component. Plenty of red cherry and red apple skin flavor.
2006 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir, Neutral Barrel, Clone Pommard 5 Pommard is a
Pinot Noir workhorse clone that is widely planted. It can make great wines on its own (a so called
“stand-alone” clone), or as part of a blend. Pommard has good color, big clusters, intense fruit, considerable
spice, a meaty/gamey edge to its black fruits, a velvety mouth feel, and good mid palate
complexity. A terrific wine on its own, even without oak influence. Earth tones are appealing in the aromatics
and flavors. Silky texture.
2006 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir, New Barrel, Cadus Allier, Clone Pommard 5 and
2006 Kosta Browne Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir, New Barrel, Remond Allier, Clone Pommard 5 Oak
really adds complexity and interest. Spice, vanillin, smoke, char, toast. Pinot Noir loves oak!
Flight Two - 2005 Current Releases
“What Dan Kosta and Michael Browne have accomplished in 2005 is every bit as staggering as
their watershed 2004 vintage." - James Laube
2005 Kosta Browne Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 1,812 cases. $45. 21% Cohn, 29% Koplen, 28% Amber Ridge, 10% Ketcham, 12% Castaldi. About 10% whole clusters are used in the appellation wines. Fermentation in oak is employed in part.
·
Seductive strawberry and cherry fruit with cola and spice highlights. Juicy and succulent with a velvety feel. Hard to say no to this one.
2005 Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
15.0% alc., 1,821 cases, $45. 31% Kanzler, 21% Miron,
15% Demeo, 33% Dutton-Manzana.
·
More grip than the Russian River bottling with a hearty structure and notable tannins. Plenty of blackberry fruit, subtle oak spice and a firm finish.
2005 Kosta Browne Amber Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
15.1% alc., 510 cases, $62. Clones 115, 667 and 777. This vineyard is situated adjacent to Gary Farrell’s Star Ridge Vineyard in the upper part of the Russian River Valley’s middle reach. The vineyard is on a rolling hill in an area
characterized by early morning fog that burns off mid to late morning when the warm afternoon sun
and cool winds arrive. Clones 115, 667 and 777.
·
The least showy wine in the lineup - big, robust, dense and brooding. Dark cherry, coffee-infused flavors. Needs time to shed some of its mountainous fruit.
2005 Kosta Browne Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
15.2% alc., 264 cases, $62.
Garys’ is a 50-acre vineyard farmed by Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni and is located on a sloping
hillside in the center of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA in Monterey County. The area receives heavy
morning fog, strong coastal winds and an average cool mid-70s summertime temperature. Yields are
low and the growing season is long and even. The clone is the Pisoni clone (rumored to originate in a
famous vineyard in Burgundy). 25-30% whole cluster.
·
Still a bit tight, this wine exhibits a full-throttle array of saucy red Pinot fruits with chocolate, cherry cola and spice. Strikingly harmonious with seamless integration of tannins and alcohol. Will benefit from a year or two in the cellar.
2005 Kosta Browne Kanzler Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
15.3% alc., 500 cases, $62.
This vineyard is located in western Sonoma County just south of Bodega Highway on Sander’s Road. It
consists of 20 acres on what was formerly an old apple orchard. Its gently sloping location is near the
beginning of the Petaluma Gap and receives morning and evening fog, breezy afternoons and bright,
but mild, afternoon sun. Clones are Pommard, 115 and 667.
·
Striking but shy aromatics of crushed black cherries, rose petal and mushrooms. Plenty of showy dark Pinot extract and a long, chewy aftertaste. Decisive balance and very well crafted. Will age quite well. There is something deep inside here that cannot be denied.
2005 Kosta Browne Koplen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
15.3% alc., 500 cases, $62.
From a 5-acre vineyard planted entirely to Dijon clone 667 in the middle of the Russian River Valley
AVA on the east side of Olivet Lane. The vineyard is the warmest location of all Kosta Browne grape
sources and yields are vigorous, ranging from 3.5 to 3.7 tons per acre. The vineyard is farmed with
passion by the owners. Significant whole cluster is used in this wine.
·
Deep on the palate, packed with brambly dark red fruit and showing a wild side. Muscular, but velvety in texture with supple tannins.. A real crowd pleaser.
The Kosta Browne business address is P.O. Box 1555, Sebastopol, CA 95473. A waiting list is available
on the website at
www.kostabrowne.com. No tours or tastings at this time. 707-823-7430. For 2005
there is also a Miron Vineyard Pinot Noir (Green Valley), a Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia
Highlands), and a 4-barrel Pinot Noir. Michael handles the grower relations and winemaking jobs, Dan
directs the sales and marketing for the label. Look for Michael and/or Dan at any of the major Pinot
Noir festivals, but get to their booth early as their wines are quickly sucked up by the crowd that bellies
up to their offerings. Kosta Browne wines are available on the secondary market such as
www.winecommune.com (prices vary from around $58 to over $200 per bottle).
