2021 Copain Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Copain Wines is in the Russian River Valley, in Northern California. It was founded in 1999 by Wells Guthrie and his friend Kevin McQuown, hence the name of the winery, which means “buddies” in French. Guthrie formerly worked for Wine Spectator and McQuown is a software designer. Guthrie worked in the Rhone Valley and at Turley Winery to learn winemaking, and he is Copain’s winemaker. Copain’s signature wines are Syrahs, though the winery also makes Rose, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Robert M. Parker Jr. has rated many Copain wines in the 90s and calls Guthrie’s vineyard-designated wines “superb.”

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.