2010 Iron Horse Green Valley Pinot Noir

Iron Horse Vineyards is in Green Valley, a part of Sonoma County. The estate was founded in 1976 by Audrey and Barry Sterling, a husband-and-wife team with extensive legal and political careers in Washington D.C., California and Europe. In 1976 the couple decided to turn their love of wine into a family project. They bought the estate, which today includes 160 acres of vineyards planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Iron Horse remains a family affair, with daughter Joy Sterling and son Laurence Sterling running the company. Given the years the family spent living in France, it is perhaps no surprise that Iron Horse is best known for its sparkling wines, which have been served at numerous historic events at the White House. Iron Horse usually makes up to 10 sparkling wines, which frequently earn ratings in the mid-to-high 90s from wine reviewers including Robert M. Parker Jr. and Wine Enthusiast.

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.