Canepa Koch Wine Cellars "The Dude" Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2022

Pinot Noir clones found in the Sebastopol Hills:

Calera Pinot Noir clone - known for its small berries, producing lower yields but with notable advantages in concentration and structure. These compact berries create a wine with a deep, intense color and an elegant bouquet that leads to a plush, velvety texture. This clone is prized for its good tannin structure, making it ideal for aging, and it finishes with a persistent fruit note that lingers on the palate, giving wines a memorable, rich depth and complexity.

Swan Pinot Noir clone - renowned for crafting refined, floral wines with intricate aromas of raspberry, cranberry, and floral hints like rose and violet. Its aroma also includes layers of wild strawberry, spiced nutmeg, and a touch of star anise and cinnamon. On the palate, this clone offers bright acidity balanced with flavors of maraschino cherry, mixed berries, and subtle notes of white pepper and wild game. With a round mouthfeel and a long, structured finish, the Swan clone is celebrated for its graceful, elegant character in Pinot Noir.

Dijon 777 Pinot Noir clone - celebrated for its deep color, small, thick-skinned berries, and notable tannins. Known for its spiciness, it delivers aromas of cherry, raspberry, violets, and mocha, with flavors of black cherry, boysenberry, cinnamon, and mocha. Medium to mid-weight plus, this clone has a silky-smooth texture and a long, oak-kissed finish. Its early-ripening nature and suitability for aging make it ideal for complex blends, though terroir and vineyard conditions greatly influence its distinct profile.

Pommard 4 Pinot Noir clone - known for producing wines with deep, dark fruit flavors such as cherry and plum, complemented by earthy notes and hints of cinnamon, vanilla, and dried orange peel. Its silky texture and age-worthy nature make it an excellent choice for wines that develop complexity over time. This clone thrives in cooler regions like the Santa Lucia Highlands, where coastal fog and moderate temperatures help enhance its full potential. Pommard 4 pairs beautifully with dishes like herb and goat cheese crostini, braised rabbit, or pork chops with sour cherry sauce.

Sourced from 2 vineyard sources within the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, southwest of the city of Sebastopol, in an area known as the Sebastopol Hills. Located just 9 miles from the Pacific Ocean and featuring the ideal sandy loam soils, which make for an ideal climatic for beautiful expressive, cool-climate Pinot Noir. These 2 western sloping vineyards feature Calera, Swan, Dijon 777 and Pommard 4 clones, all of which complement each other in the final blend.

The Sebastopol Hills wine-growing region, located in Sonoma County, is known for its cool, fog-influenced climate, ideal for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The rolling hills and well-drained soils create diverse microclimates, allowing for the production of wines with vibrant acidity, rich fruit flavors, and complex aromas. The region benefits from its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, which helps moderate temperatures, ensuring a slow ripening process that contributes to balanced, expressive wines. Sebastopol Hills is a standout area for creating elegant, terroir-driven wines.

Nestled within Sonoma County, the Russian River Valley AVA is a captivating winegrowing region shaped by its unique terroir. Established in 1983, this AVA spans 15,000 vineyard acres and boasts a diverse landscape influenced by its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the Russian River. The region's geological history is rich and dynamic, with volcanic ash deposits from nearby eruptions contributing to its renowned Goldridge loam soil. This sandy loam, combined with alluvial deposits from the river, creates a complex mosaic of soils that profoundly impact grape cultivation. The Russian River Valley's cool, foggy climate is ideal for producing high-quality, cool-climate wines. Warm daytime temperatures are tempered by regular intrusions of fog from the nearby Petaluma Gap and cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean. This maritime influence extends the growing season, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and develop nuanced flavors while retaining crucial acidity. As a result, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel thrive in this environment, producing wines of exceptional depth and character. From the fertile plains between Windsor and Sebastopol to the hillsides near the Coastal Ranges, each vineyard site within the AVA offers a unique expression of the region's terroir, showcasing the intricate interplay between soil, climate, and grape variety. Among the esteemed producers of the Russian River Valley are renowned wineries such as Kosta Browne, Williams Selyem, and Paul Hobbs. These industry pioneers have helped elevate the region to international acclaim, crafting wines that exemplify the distinctive character of the Russian River Valley terroir.