Winemaker Notes
Elegant and beautifully balanced, this Pinot Noir has aromas of ripe cherry, vanilla and a hint of savory herbs, while on the palate it is juicy and refined with a hint of dusty cherry. The wine has a big rich mouth-feel, silky tannins and a long finish. This wine expresses classic Rochioli character.
#37 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2021
Wine Spectator 94 Points
Wine Enthusiast 96 Points
Robert Parker 93 Points
About Rochioli Winery
Our family legacy began in 1911 when my grandfather, Joe Rocchioli Sr. immigrated to America along with his parents, Michele and Menichina Rocchioli (they later dropped the second “c”). Originally from a small village just outside of Lucca, the Rocchioli’s were one of many Italian families that arrived in New York, made their way across the country, and settled in Northern California.
In those days children worked from a young age, and so my grandfather, still only 10-years old, labored alongside his father on a farm called Wohler Ranch, in the Russian River Valley.
Joe Sr. became ranch foreman in 1920, but even then he had higher aspirations of one day owning his own land. In 1934 my grandmother Neoma gave birth to my father, Joe Rochioli Jr. Shortly after they moved to a 125-acre property nearby called Fenton Acres. Fenton Acres is the same location where Rochioli Vineyards is today.
As a young child I grew up watching both my grandfather and father spend countless hours tending to this land. On our farm there was an Italian work ethic and everyone had a job to do, even children. From the age of seven I was a farmhand and spent many a day picking prunes.
In 1987 we released our first estate wine, the 1985 Rochioli Pinot Noir. We were all amazed that year when we learned it had topped Wine Spectator’s list of Pinot Noir and was named ‘The Best Pinot Noir in America’. I was surprised we had struck gold so early, but it was also a validation; I knew then we were in the business of making something very special.
A few years later my wife and I took a trip to Burgundy and it turned out to be a big inspiration for me. After visiting Burgundy’s most famous estate, it became very clear that our focus should be on identifying the unique characteristics of the individual blocks. On this trip I learned that by keeping grapes from different lots separate during the winemaking process, individual vineyard lots and single varieties can produce remarkably different, and beautiful wines. Their approach to traditional winemaking also involves very little tampering in the winemaking process. This experience shaped my philosophy and today we produce terroir-driven wines built on a foundation of superb fruit.
Now as a third-generation winemaker, I’m proud of our family heritage and the significant contributions to farming and winemaking that both my father and grandfather have made over the years. As a family winery we have been fortunate enough to earn the reputation as one of California’s finest wine producers. I look forward to the next generation.”
– Tom Rochioli, Winemaker
