2006 Seghesio Family Winery Costiera Pinot Noir

Seghesio Family Vineyards is one of Sonoma County’s historic wineries. Its roots date to 1886, when Edoardo Seghesio immigrated from Piedmont, Italy, to Sonoma, where he worked as a winemaker for Italian Swiss Colony. By 1902 Seghesio had purchased 56 acres in Northern Alexander Valley and had completed his first crush from his own vineyards. Today the estate includes 300 acres and is owned by the Crimson Wine Group, a conglomerate of small, West Coast wineries. Some members of the Seghesio family are still involved in management and the estate makes a broad selection of red and white wines. It is known for its Zinfandels, though it also produces Barbera, Sangiovese, Italian style whites, such as Arneis, and blends.

Sonoma Coast AVA runs from San Pablo Bay in the south to Mendocino County in the north. It includes 7,000 vineyard acres and earned AVA status in 1987. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean means it gets double the rainfall of nearby inland appellations and the ocean gives the appellation a relatively cool climate. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir can thrive in these conditions, and there are numerous producers making critically acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

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.