1996 Fetzer Barrel Select Pinot Noir

Fetzer is a large estate in Mendocino County. It was founded in 1968 when Barney and Kathleen Fetzer and their sons bought a ranch and converted a barn into a winery. By the 1980s the family had acquired additional land and was producing large quantities of numerous wines, from Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay to Syrah and White Zinfandel. In 1992 Fetzer was purchased Brown-Forman Corp. and in 2011 Fetzer was purchased by Vina Concha Y Toro. Over the decades Fetzer has been a leader in green practices and organic wine production. Today the estate makes a large portfolio of wines and retains its commitment to environmental sustainability.

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.