Rochioli - Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2022 (750ml)

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Price: $95.99

In Mixed Case: $86.39

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Producer	Rochioli
Country	United States
Region	California
Subregion	Russian River Valley
Varietal	Pinot Noir
Vintage	2022
Sku	6632578632
Size	750ml

 

Winemaker Notes

This Estate is a blend of our many different vineyard sites, with sixty seven percent Little Hill, eleven percent from Sweetwater, nine percent from West Block, nine percent East Block, and four percent Big Hill. This full bodied wine is complex and rich with the typical Rochioli character and the Classic Russian River Valley charm. Aged in French oak for 15 months, the wine displays a full body and silky texture finish, with a balanced structure.

I can proudly say that the name Rochioli has been associated with this area for over 85 years. My father, Joe Rochioli Jr. had the foresight to know that the soil of this unique spot in the Russian River Valley was very special and would one day produce some of the world's greatest wines.” – Tom Rochioli, Winemaker

...In 1959 my father and grandfather planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. The Cabernet did not grow well and was pulled out in the 1970s.  Sauvignon Blanc, at the time, was a strange new white grape that nobody wanted and was used mainly for blends.  It was soon discovered by a few famed wineries and became desirable as a high quality grape. Today these same vines are still in production and are considered some of the oldest Sauvignon Blanc vines in California.

Our passion for fine wine and high quality grape growing began in 1968 when Joe Jr. began planting Pinot Noir. He had his own ideas as to what would grow best here and planted fine Pinot Noir clones from France.   This was a remarkable decision as there was very little known about the grape here and we were considered a pioneer at the time for doing this. My father had the foresight to know that the soil and microclimates of this unique spot in the Russian River Valley were very special and would one day produce some of the world's greatest wines. Shortly after growing Pinot Noir successfully, my father planted Chardonnay.

Although Joe Sr. was very successful in the early days of  farming Fenton Acres, he unfortunatley did not live to see the accomplishments we have had with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Savignon Blanc. He died in 1966. 

In the early 1970s we were selling our Pinot Noir grapes to Davis Bynum Winery and shortly after we started producing wine under the Fenton Acres label. In the early 1980’s we began selling to Williams Selyem Winery, among others.  After college and working at a major financial institution for a year, I returned to the family farm with a new idea. We knew the grapes were very good and were making great wines. I became convinced that we should make our own wine with the Rochioli name.  After some deliberation my father finally agreed and in 1983 we changed the name of the property from Fenton Acres to Rochioli Vineyards.  At that time I took over as the business manager of the winery and soon after became the winemaker.

In 1987 we released our first estate wine, the 1985 Rochioli Pinot Noir. 

We were all amazed that year when we learned it had topped Wine Spectator’s list of Pinot Noir and was named ‘The Best Pinot Noir in America’.

 I was surprised we had struck gold so early, but it was also a validation; I knew then we were in the business of making something very special.

The 2022 Pinot Noir Estate is a gorgeous entry-level offering. Crushed red berry fruit, spice, blood orange, sage, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco are all finely knitted together in this silky, classy, lifted Pinot Noir. All the elements are so beautifully balanced.