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A pinot to savor
The Russian River Valley’s distinctive geography produces unique wines
From the first rich and vibrant sip, there’s little doubt that pinot noirs crafted from the Russian River Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) are unique. Grown in the heart of Sonoma County, California, these wines are known for their elegant texture and dry and medium body. What is truly remarkable about Russian River Valley wines can be credited to the AVA’s distinctive geography, which makes it well suited to growing memorable pinot noir.
Location, location, location
Much like the well-known saying in real estate, it’s all about location when it comes to pinot noir grapes in the AVA. To thrive, these grapes need weather that gets warm during the day but cools down just enough at night. The misty fog that rolls in and drops the temperature imparts freshness—or acidity—to the grapes. These conditions, and the area’s soil, allow the grapes to develop just the right amount of ripeness needed in order to create the complexity that the Russian River Valley is known for.
A wine lover’s dream
Wines from this region are food friendly and pair well with a variety of fish and meats, from salmon and tuna to sausage and pork. If you’re more into cheese than meat, Russian River pinots pair well with firm and flavorful varieties of cheese like Gouda and aged cheddar, but they also shine on their own.
Wines sourced from a single vineyard highlight how individual sites can affect the many complexities shared by the AVA’s vintages, such as smooth textures, ripe tannins and robust dark fruit flavors. On the other hand, blended wines assembled from vineyards all across the region—like the 2021 Kirkland Signature™ Russian River Pinot Noir—are appealing mixtures of what the valley has to offer, making them a delight to everyone from the novice wine drinker to the most seasoned sommelier.
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Go for the Gold(ridge)
The Russian River Valley contains many different soil types, but the standout is the Goldridge variety. This fine-grained sandy loam drains well but contains just enough clay to retain some moisture for the vines. Pinot noir thrives in this type of soil, as well as in a climate that is cool but not too cold.—MK
Costco Connection: Kirkland Signature 2021 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (Item 555512) and other wines from the Russian River Valley AVA are available at select Costco warehouses.
Mark Kalkbrenner is a Costco buyer in the Bay Area region, specializing in wine, beer and spirits.
