US wine has been made since 1769 with the founding of the San Diego mission by the Spanish. Winemaking gradually spread further north as they planted more missions, with the first grapes planted in Napa Valley in the 1830s. Although winemaking declined during Prohibition, today the USA is the world's fourth largest producer with Americans consuming more wine per capita than any other nation.
Key US Wine Regions
Over 90% of US wine is made in California where the warm climate and huge variety of terroirs provide optimal winemaking conditions. The state is dominated by the Napa Valley wine wegion which is known for its powerful reds and oaky whites and cooler Sonoma County which is home to the Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley to name just a few. Beyond California, Oregon and Washington State have recently earned a reputation for elegant, cooler climate reds and whites.
US Grape Varieties
Most popular wines in the USA are made from almost all major European grape varieties, with Bordeaux favourites like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc dominating in most regions. Cooler areas like coastal parts of Sonoma and Oregon are well known for their elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Zinfandel is particularly popular in warmer California wine regions. US winemakers continue to experiment with a huge range of other varieties, including Mediterranean staples like Grenache, Carignan, Mourvedre, and Tempranillo.
The Don Miguel Vineyard: Named after the late patriarch of the Torres family, this sustainable vineyard is located in the Green Valley — the coolest, foggiest region of the Russian River, only ten miles from the Pacific. Planted in the European-style high density of over 2,000 vines/acre, the yields are low and labor intensive, but the vines live longer and the grapes acquire better balance and greater concentration, as well as more elegance and finesse. The various clones planted in the vineyard’s 30 acres of Pinot Noir yield wines with complex layers of flavors. The blend of clones in this vintage is 40% Swan, 22% Pommard, 20% Dijon 115, and 18% Dijon 667.
The Doña Margarita Vineyard: Named after the late matriarch of the Torres family, this 20-acre vineyard is located on the Bohemian Highway, between Freestone and Occidental, in the Sonoma Coast appellation of origin. The cool breezes and drifting fog from the Pacific Ocean, six miles away, make it an ideal site for Pinot Noir. Planted in the European style of super-high density, with 2,340 vines per acre, the yields are low and labor is intensive; but the vines live longer and the grapes acquire better balance and greater concentration, as well as more elegance and finesse. The Clones: The vineyard’s 20 acres of Pinot Noir are planted with three different clones. This vintage is from 100% Pommard.
Inspired after a visit to Bordeaux, Dan Duckhorn produced the first vintage of Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot in 1978. Highlighting Estate vineyards and top sites, our renown Merlot reflects the diversity of the valley’s many appellations. Blending with Cabernet Sauvignon adds notable depth and structure, as well as signature flavors of black cherry, plum and spice.
კომპლექსური და მოქნილი, ეს ღვინო წარმოადგენს 97% კაბერნე სოვინიონსა და 3% კაბერნე ფრანკს. შავი მოცხრის, შავი ალუბლისა და შავი წიწაკის სურნელს ავსებს კედარი, ესპრესოს მარცვალი და ტყავი. გემო გამოხატავს სრულ გაჯერებულობასა და ტანინებს, რომლებიც დაბალანსებული და შეუმჩნევლად ჩაქსოვილია ხილის ექსპრესიაში. ხანგრძლივი გემო ტოვებს მთის ხილისა და ალუბლის პიკანტურ არომატს. 750 მლ
This blend of the finest barrels of Roserock Pinot Noir is named for the fragrant “Zéphirine Drouhin” variety of thornless climbing rose, introduced in 1868. Fittingly, the dark-ruby Zéphirine Pinot Noir has an intoxicating perfume of roses, violets, strawberries, and cacao. The complexity and finesse of this lyrical wine will reward cellar age, although it drinks deliciously upon release.
The Don Miguel Vineyard Named after the late patriarch of the Torres family, this sustainable vineyard is located in the Green Valley — the coolest, foggiest region of the Russian River Valley, only ten miles from the Pacific. The European-style high density of over 2,000 vines per acre provides low yields and requires intensive labor; but the vines live longer and the grapes acquire better balance and greater concentration, as well as more elegance and finesse than with the traditional low density.
