Owners John and Lane Giguiere have been growing grapes and making wine for more than 25 years in the Dunnigan Hills of California. After selling their family’s company, R.H. Philips, they started Crew Wines in 2005, naming the company in honor of the many staff members who left Phillips to join Crew. Mossback is an old fashioned term for farmer, which references the Giguiere’s long family history of farming, as well as the mossy rocks, tree trunks and end posts prevalent in the cool Russian River Valley of California.

Tasting notes

Mossback Pinot Noir is a blend of Russian River Valley fruit from growers that Winemaker Dan Cederquist has worked with for many years. This could be called Dan’s Farmer’s Market blend; the best grapes purchased from the best farmers from Dan’s many years of winemaking experience in the Russian River. This is a classic Russian River Pinot Noir with complex aromas of berry, cola, clove and allspice. Bright ripe cherry, cranberry and rhubarb flavors combine with lingering notes of baking spices and a dark earthiness. This elegant Pinot Noir is a perfect choice to start the evening and a wonderful choice for grilled salmon.

Wine maker notes

The grapes were hand harvested in ½ ton bins and destemmed into small fermenters. The must was chilled to 45F for 72 hours for its “cold soak” to enhance the pretty berry and cherry aromas. The tanks were allowed to warm naturally and slowly to activate native fermentation. Once started, the tanks were pumped over several times a day to extract all the richness from the juice without any bitter or astringent qualities. The wine was pressed off at dryness and then aged in French oak barrels for nine months. The final blend contains a small percentage of syrah and tannat to enhance richness and structure.

Technical notes

Blend: 97% Pinot Noir, 2% Syrah, 1% Tannat

Other text

RUSTIC MOSSBACK Mossback is an old fashioned term for farmer. The Giguiere family has a long history of farming, and for the Mossback brand we have sought fruit from some of the most renowned farmers in the Russian River Valley. The name also conjures up images of the mossy rocks, tree trunks and end posts that are so prevalent in the cool Russian River Valley. About the Appellation This brand consists of a Russian River Valley Chardonnay, a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Chalk Hill appellation.