Dec 30, 2022
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Ketcham Estate
| Owner(s) | Mark Ketcham |
| Web site | www.ketchamestate.com |
| Link to this site |
Ketcham Estate began as a partnership between Steve Rigisich and Mark Ketcham, with Rigisich departing in 2011. The Pinot Noir is sourced primarily from the 13.5-acre estate Ketcham Vineyard located in the Russian River Valley just off Eastside Road. The vineyard, which is planted to several Dijon clones and Pommard clone, is managed by Roberto Ordaz who lives on the property with his family.
The first winemaker was Michael Browne (Kosta Browne). Scott Rich (Talisman) took over beginning with the 2008 vintage, and from 2009 forward, Scott Rich vinified the Ketcham Russian River Estate bottling and an unnamed "famous" Westside Road winemaker makes the Ketcham Estate Pinot Noir. Mark's wife, Allie has been the winemaker since 2012.
The Russian River Valley bottling is 80% Ketcham Estate (not including the oldest Pommard vines) and 20% O'Neel Vineyard, and the Ketcham Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir (all parts of the vineyard including 40+-year-old Pommard vines). A Russian River Valley Chardonnay was introduced in 2012.
The wines are sold through a mailing list, the website store, with some retail distribution.
Mark passed away in April 2020. His surviving wife, Allie, tend to run Ketcham Estate in his memory as a women-owned, women-run and women-made winery.
Articles About Ketcham Estate
Reviewed Wines
2009 Ketcham Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 901 cases, $38.
·
Moderate reddish-purple
color in the glass. Enticing aromas of well-spiced Bing cherries and rose petals. Soft and elegant on the
palate, with moderately dense flavors of black cherries, Hoison sauce, and cola, enrobed in fine-grain tannins,
leaving a little heat in its wake on the moderately long finish. Good.
Reviewed November 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Ketcham Estate Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc.,
189 cases, $48. Clones are Pommard, 777 and 828. Aged 16 months in 100%
new French oak.
·
A shy nose initially that offers more cherry fruit intensity over
time in the glass. Subtle aromas of seasoned oak and underbrush add interest.
Impressive mid palate attack with striking black cherry and black raspberry fruit
offering impressive persistence on the fruit-filled ending. More structure, tannin
and intensity than the Russian River Valley bottling yet a very polished wine that
is soft in the mouth. The oak is nicely integrated. Should improve with another
year or two in bottle. Very good (+).
Reviewed November 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2007 Ketcham Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc.,pH 3.65, 760 cases, $32. Winemaker is
Michael Browne. 80% Ketcham Vineyard, 20% O’Neel Vineyard, Nonella Vineyard and Manzana Vineyard.
Pommard, Dijon 777, 667, 115 and 828 clones. Aged 16 months in French oak.
·
Aromas of cherry cola,
lavender and wood chips. Moderately rich black cherry, black currant fruits with an earthy, spicy underpinning.
Smooth in the mouth with a short, but pleasing finish. Decent (+).
Reviewed February 15, 2010
ARTICLE »
2007 Ketcham Estate Ketcham Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 420 cases, $41. A reserve wine that is 100% Ketcham Estate
Vineyard fruit. Sourced from a 16-acre vineyard with a broad selection of clones.
·
Restrained aromas of dark red cherries and berries with a complimentary hint of
spice. Very tasty essence of dark cherries and plums with admirable
persistence. Silky smooth with supple tannins. Still a little closed, but offers
considerable upside potential. More sophistication and plushness than the
regular bottling. Very good.
Reviewed February 15, 2010
ARTICLE »
2006 Ketcham Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., $40. This label, owned by partners
Mark Ketcham and Steve Rigisich and vinified by winemaker Michael Browne (Kosta Browne), is
relatively new but has been impressive.
·
Dark reddish-purple robe. Deep aromas of black cherry
liquor with dried herbs, hay, and subtle oak char. Nice black cherry fruit core presented with restraint.
Light and soft in the mouth, finishing with gossamer tannins. Very good.
Reviewed August 4, 2008
ARTICLE »
2005 Ketcham Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
From a vineyard on Eastside Road near J
Winery in the Russian River Valley. Crafted by Michael Browne (Kosta Browne). Sold only through a
mailing list.
·
This is a marvelous wine which shows a softer and more reserved Michael Browne style.
Typical Russian River Valley pedigree with Bing cherry, cola and spice. Very showy and fruity and a delight
to drink.
Reviewed March 23, 2008
ARTICLE »
2009 Ketcham Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 901 cases, $38. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Enticing aromas of well-spiced Bing cherries and rose petals. Soft and elegant on the palate, with moderately dense flavors of black cherries, Hoison sauce, and cola, enrobed in fine-grain tannins, leaving a little heat in its wake on the moderately long finish. Good. Reviewed November 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Ketcham Estate Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 189 cases, $48. Clones are Pommard, 777 and 828. Aged 16 months in 100% new French oak. · A shy nose initially that offers more cherry fruit intensity over time in the glass. Subtle aromas of seasoned oak and underbrush add interest. Impressive mid palate attack with striking black cherry and black raspberry fruit offering impressive persistence on the fruit-filled ending. More structure, tannin and intensity than the Russian River Valley bottling yet a very polished wine that is soft in the mouth. The oak is nicely integrated. Should improve with another year or two in bottle. Very good (+). Reviewed November 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2007 Ketcham Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc.,pH 3.65, 760 cases, $32. Winemaker is Michael Browne. 80% Ketcham Vineyard, 20% O’Neel Vineyard, Nonella Vineyard and Manzana Vineyard. Pommard, Dijon 777, 667, 115 and 828 clones. Aged 16 months in French oak. · Aromas of cherry cola, lavender and wood chips. Moderately rich black cherry, black currant fruits with an earthy, spicy underpinning. Smooth in the mouth with a short, but pleasing finish. Decent (+). Reviewed February 15, 2010 ARTICLE »
2007 Ketcham Estate Ketcham Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 420 cases, $41. A reserve wine that is 100% Ketcham Estate Vineyard fruit. Sourced from a 16-acre vineyard with a broad selection of clones. · Restrained aromas of dark red cherries and berries with a complimentary hint of spice. Very tasty essence of dark cherries and plums with admirable persistence. Silky smooth with supple tannins. Still a little closed, but offers considerable upside potential. More sophistication and plushness than the regular bottling. Very good. Reviewed February 15, 2010 ARTICLE »
2006 Ketcham Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., $40. This label, owned by partners Mark Ketcham and Steve Rigisich and vinified by winemaker Michael Browne (Kosta Browne), is relatively new but has been impressive. · Dark reddish-purple robe. Deep aromas of black cherry liquor with dried herbs, hay, and subtle oak char. Nice black cherry fruit core presented with restraint. Light and soft in the mouth, finishing with gossamer tannins. Very good. Reviewed August 4, 2008 ARTICLE »
2005 Ketcham Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
From a vineyard on Eastside Road near J Winery in the Russian River Valley. Crafted by Michael Browne (Kosta Browne). Sold only through a mailing list. · This is a marvelous wine which shows a softer and more reserved Michael Browne style. Typical Russian River Valley pedigree with Bing cherry, cola and spice. Very showy and fruity and a delight to drink. Reviewed March 23, 2008 ARTICLE »