2009 A.P. Vin Ridgetop Vineyard Pinot Noir (Screwcap)

A.P. Vin was started in 2003 by Andrew P. Vingiello. Although he worked in the financial world, Vingiello was drawn to Pinot Noir, and he started working for a Pinot Noir producer in his off hours. Vingiello started producing his own small batches of wine in 2003, and in 2005 quit his job as a stock trader to devote himself full time to winemaking. Today A.P. Vin produces about 2,000 cases of wine a year sourced from designated vineyards. Vinous has given the wines ratings in the 90s and has written that the estate’s “wines are delicious and show considerable potential.”

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.