Pinot Noir
The heartbreak grape — thin-skinned, terroir-transparent and endlessly nuanced. At its best it is perfumed, elegant and utterly seductive.
Red cherry, raspberry, forest floor and silky, lifted tannin.
Salmon, duck, mushroom risotto.
Burgundy, Russian River Valley & Sonoma Coast, Carneros.
Wineries growing Pinot Noir
Domaine Chandon
Yountville · Est. 1973
Crisp, citrus-and-brioche sparkling; a joyful start or finish to any wine day.
Schramsberg Vineyards
Calistoga · Est. 1965
Toasty, complex, long-lees-aged sparkling with genuine ageing potential.
Domaine Carneros
Carneros · Est. 1987
Elegant, chalky sparkling; Le Rêve is one of California's finest Blanc de Blancs.
Mumm Napa
Rutherford · Est. 1979
Crisp, fruit-forward sparkling; the DVX prestige cuvée adds toasty depth.
Artesa Vineyards & Winery
Carneros · Est. 1991
Bright Carneros Chardonnay and Pinot; go for the view and stay for the bubbles.
Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
Russian River Valley · Est. 1982
Silky red-cherry Pinot with forest-floor lift; the Chardonnays are precise and mineral.
Arista Winery
Russian River Valley · Est. 2002
Detailed, red-fruited Pinot with silky texture and true vineyard signatures.
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Russian River Valley · Est. 1959
Reliable, well-priced Sonoma classics across Cabernet, Chardonnay and Pinot.
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate
Sonoma County · Est. 1982
Ripe, tropical, lightly oaked Chardonnay; the culinary gardens are a highlight.
Iron Horse Vineyards
Green Valley of Russian River · Est. 1976
Crisp, mineral estate sparkling; the al-fresco tasting deck is unbeatable at golden hour.
J Vineyards & Winery
Russian River Valley · Est. 1986
Bright, brioche-edged sparkling and juicy Russian River Pinot — go for the Bubble Room.
Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards
Carneros · Est. 1986
Approachable, fruit-driven sparkling; the terrace views seal the deal.
Scribe Winery
Sonoma Valley · Est. 2007
Lower-intervention, energetic wines; the hacienda-and-eucalyptus setting is a scene.
Three Sticks Wines
Sonoma Coast · Est. 2002
Precise, single-vineyard Pinot from benchmark sites; the adobe setting is unmatched.
Buena Vista Winery
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1857
Approachable estate reds wrapped in genuine California history.
Gundlach Bundschu
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1858
Characterful estate wines, including a rare dry Gewürztraminer; genuinely fun visit.
Landmark Vineyards
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1974
Ripe, balanced Chardonnay and Pinot; a laid-back afternoon stop.
Clos Du Val
Stags Leap District · Est. 1972
Restrained, Bordeaux-inflected Cabernet with fine-grained tannin and freshness.
Rochioli Vineyards & Winery
Russian River Valley · Est. 1976
Vivid red-cherry Pinot with silky texture; the estate Sauvignon Blanc is a cult favourite.
Hanzell Vineyards
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1953
Age-worthy, mineral Chardonnay and structured Pinot from some of the state's oldest vines.
MacRostie Winery
Russian River Valley · Est. 1987
Bright, balanced Chardonnay and Pinot in one of Westside Road's most beautiful settings.
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits · Est. 1869
Ethereal, spice-laden Pinot of near-mythical complexity and endless length.
Krug
Reims, Champagne · Est. 1843
Brioche, toasted nuts and candied citrus with astonishing depth and a creamy mousse.
Dom Pérignon
Épernay, Champagne · Est. 1936
Precise, mineral and toasty with a taut, saline finish that rewards cellaring.
Pinot Noir FAQs
What does Pinot Noir taste like?
Pinot Noir typically shows Red cherry, raspberry, forest floor and silky, lifted tannin. The heartbreak grape — thin-skinned, terroir-transparent and endlessly nuanced. At its best it is perfumed, elegant and utterly seductive.
What food pairs with Pinot Noir?
Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with Salmon, duck, mushroom risotto.
Where is Pinot Noir grown?
Classic homes for Pinot Noir include Burgundy, Russian River Valley & Sonoma Coast, Carneros. Estates in our guide that grow it include Domaine Chandon, Schramsberg Vineyards, Domaine Carneros, Mumm Napa, Artesa Vineyards & Winery, Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery.
Taste Pinot Noir where it grows best
Let a Chauffyr chauffeur plan a wine day around the estates that make Pinot Noir shine.