2022 Senses Bodega Thieriot Pinot Noir

Senses Wines is a new Sonoma Coast estate founded by three childhood friends with complementary skills and a shared passion for wine. Chris Strieter has an advanced degree in finance and worked with Williams Selyem before taking charge of business at Senses Wines. Max Thieriot grew up working on his family’s vineyards and he oversees operations and vineyard management, among other tasks. Max Thieriot is also an actor known for his work in such movies as House at the End of the Street and Chloe, and such television mini-series as Bates Motel and Texas Rising. Myles Lawrence-Briggs manages production with consulting winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, one of California’s most admired winemakers. Senses Wines sources grapes from Sonoma Coast vineyards owned by parents of the founders. Those estate vineyards are B.A. Thieriot Vineyard, owned by Cameron and Bridgit Thieriot, and Hillcrest Vineyard, owned by Carl Briggs and Lisa Lawrence. Senses also sources grapes from Charles Heintz and Terra de Promissio Vineyards. Debut releases were 2013 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The wines are generally available only via the estate’s mailing list.

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.