2020 St. Francis Artisan Collection Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards is in Sonoma County. It was founded in 1971 by Joe Martin who planted 22 acres of Chardonnay and 60 acres of Merlot. Today the estate is part of the Kobrand conglomerate of wine and spirits companies. St. Francis now owns more than 415 acres in several appellations, including Sonoma and the Russian River Valley. St. Francis produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Claret, Merlot, Zinfandel and Chardonnay. The estate is especially well known for its old vines Zinfandel.

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.