2006 Gallo Family Vineyards Winemaker's Signature Pinot Noir

Gallo Family Vineyards is an off-shoot of E & J Gallo Winery, which is one of California’s historic wine producers. Brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo were selling grapes from the family vineyards when prohibition ended, and in 1933 they decided to start making wine. They taught themselves winemaking from library books and were soon selling large amounts of bulk wines. By the 1990s E & J Gallo had 25% of the American wine market and today it has become a major exporter of American wines. E & J Gallo makes, markets and distributes wine under more than 60 labels, including Andre sparkling wine, Carlo Rossi and Barefoot Wines. However in 1977 the family also decided to make premium wines, and the Gallo Family Vineyards label produces a large portfolio of red, white and rose wines.

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.