1981 Joseph Swan Cabernet Sauvignon

Joseph Swan Vineyards is legendary in the history of California Pinot Noir. The Russian River Estate is admired as one of the first successful California producers of Burgundian style Pinot Noir. Vineyards existed on the estate in the 19th century, but in 1967 a retired commercial airline pilot named Joseph Swan bought the property – then 13 acres and a few old buildings – and started making wine. Though Swan grew up in North Dakota where his family disdained alcohol, his flying career offered him unlimited opportunities to taste wine, and he became increasingly interested in winemaking and viticulture. For a few years Swan made Zinfandel from the old vines on his small estate. But winemaking master André Tchelistcheff, a friend and highly influential winemaker, convinced Swan to plant cool climate varietals of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and within a few years Swan was producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Swan was firmly committed to small scale winemaking and old-world wine traditions, and the estate remained a limited production operation where Swan could be involved in every aspect of production. Swan died in 1989 but his daughter Lynn Berglund and son-in-law Rod Berglund own and operate Joseph Swan Vineyards. Rod is also the winemaker. The estate continues to focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, though it also produces small amounts of Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and other wines.

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.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.