Wine maker notes

THE SERIES: APPELLATION SERIES Here at La Crema, we are rather passionate about terroir. Especially when it comes to Pinot Noir. In general, terroir is simply the unique characteristics of a site – everything from soil, wind and temperature to the neighboring eucalyptus trees or distance from the sea. For Pinot Noir in particular, it means the subtle expressiveness and texture of one site literally cannot be duplicated elsewhere. Produced in limited quantities, our Appellation Pinot Noirs are rooted in this concept: three exceptional cool-climate growing areas offering clearly different expressions of this alluring varietal. THE PLACE: ANDERSON VALLEY A challenge from vine to glass, Pinot Noir can be a notorious failure … except in tiny, cool-climate pockets of the world where its subtle brilliance is revealed. The coolest and most northern source of our appellation releases, Anderson Valley has proven to be a remarkable site for Pinot. Vineyards are just 10-15 miles from the rugged Mendocino Coast and vines struggle on steep slopes, developing complex, small berries. This fruit is unusually graceful, developing elegant blueberry and bright red cherry flavors, overlaid with delicate tea and layered floral notes.