Reliables

These producers are referred to as “reliables” because they have been around awhile and year in and year out are pillars of consistency. Sometimes in the rush to try the next new star or potential cult Pinot Noir, we forget about the established producers whose Pinot Noirs are like Tiger Woods at a Major: a sure bet. These are wines I sampled at Pinot Days and were typically easy to recommend.

2006 Alma Rosa La Encantada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

2005 Davis Family Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2006 Clos Saron Texas Hill Vineyard Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

2006 Dutton-Goldfield Freestone vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2006 Elke Vineyards Donnelly Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

2006 Freeman Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (Ken and Akiko Freeman)

2006 Esterlina Estate Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Wow!!

2006 Fess Parker Ashley’s Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

2006 Flying Goat Cellars Dierberg Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

2006 Pey-Lucia Vineyards Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

2006 Saintsbury Brown Ranch Los Carneros Pinot Noir

2006 Siduri Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and 2007 Novy Blanc de Noir (white Pinot Noir).

2005 Silver Mountain Mun’s Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

2005 Sonnet Mun’s Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir Winemaker Jerold O’Brian of Silver Mountain (pictured left) and winemaker Tony Craig of Sonnet (pictured right) at Pinot Days.

2001 Skewis Wines Salzgerber Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (Hank Skewis below).

2006 Robert Stemmler Nugent Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

More photos from Pinot Days: top, Byron Kosuge, B. Kosuge Wines (The Shop Pinot Noir), middle, Jonathan and Susan Pey, Pey-Marin and Pey-Lucia Wines, bottom left, Larry Londer and Richard Davis, Londer Vineyards, and bottom right, Bob and Joanne Riskin of Lost Canyon winery. Great people, great Pinot.