US wine has been made since 1769 with the founding of the San Diego mission by the Spanish. Winemaking gradually spread further north as they planted more missions, with the first grapes planted in Napa Valley in the 1830s. Although winemaking declined during Prohibition, today the USA is the world's fourth largest producer with Americans consuming more wine per capita than any other nation.
Key US Wine Regions
Over 90% of US wine is made in California where the warm climate and huge variety of terroirs provide optimal winemaking conditions. The state is dominated by the Napa Valley wine wegion which is known for its powerful reds and oaky whites and cooler Sonoma County which is home to the Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley to name just a few. Beyond California, Oregon and Washington State have recently earned a reputation for elegant, cooler climate reds and whites.
US Grape Varieties
Most popular wines in the USA are made from almost all major European grape varieties, with Bordeaux favourites like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc dominating in most regions. Cooler areas like coastal parts of Sonoma and Oregon are well known for their elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Zinfandel is particularly popular in warmer California wine regions. US winemakers continue to experiment with a huge range of other varieties, including Mediterranean staples like Grenache, Carignan, Mourvedre, and Tempranillo.
The Doña Margarita Vineyard: Named after the late matriarch of the Torres family, this 20-acre vineyard, certified sustainable, is located on the Bohemian Highway, between Freestone and Occidental, in the Sonoma Coast appellation of origin. The cool breezes and drifting fog from the Pacific Ocean, six miles away, make it an ideal site for Pinot Noir. Planted in the European style of super-high density, with 2,340 vines per acre, the yields are low and labor is intensive; but the vines live longer and the grapes acquire better balance and greater concentration, as well as more elegance and finesse.
The Don Miguel Vineyard. Named after the late patriarch of the Torres family, this vineyard is located in the Green Valley — the coolest, foggiest region of the Russian River, only ten miles from the Pacific. The European-style high density of over 2,000 vines per acre provides low yields and requires intensive labor; but the vines live longer and the grapes acquire better balance and greater concentration, as well as more elegance and finesse than with the traditional low density.
Albariño has been known to produce outstanding wines in the cool, rainy climate of Galicia, in North West Spain. We first planted it in our Sonoma Coast vineyard, but that proved too cold for ripening even a cool-climate variety like this. After four years, we gave up and grafted the budwood from those vines onto our slightly warmer Russian River Valley estate. We are very excited that it is now thriving in the Don Miguel Vineyard!
Godello has been producing outstanding wines in the Valdeorras region of Galicia, in Northwest Spain; the cool, rainy climate there reminded me of our own here in the Russian River valley — and it is indeed thriving in the Don Miguel Vineyard!
This Roserock Pinot Noir is a cuvée selection from the estate’s 35 blocks, which are handpicked, sorted and individually fermented. While Pinot Noirs from the Eola-Amity Hills are typically known for their structure and power, Véronique Drouhin emphasizes Roserock’s elegant and refined qualities, making for a delicious and age worthy cuvée.