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

Ruby red with aromas of clove and nutmeg, fresh earth and dried cranberries. Flavors of ripe cherry, raspberry and barrel spice are balanced by undertones of wild mushrooms, vanilla and cocoa.

Wine maker notes

The Pinot Noir fruit was sourced from farmers in Monterey and the cool coastal regions in the central part of California. Summers here are marked by morning fog that gives way to long afternoons of abundant sunshine and maritime breezes. Pinot Noir grown in this temperate section of the Central Coast appellation exhibit the varietal characteristics of bright red fruit, spice and balanced acidity. We blended in a touch of Syrah from our Matchbook vineyard and Tannat to lengthen the flavors and add depth and concentration.

Technical notes

(90% Pinot Noir/9% Syrah/1% Tannat). A blend of Pinot Noir sourced from Monterey and other cool coastal regions. Bright red fruit, spice and balanced acidity. The addition of Syrah and Tannat from the Matchbook vineyard lends depth and concentration.

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.