David Bruce Winery

Owner(s)	David Bruce
Web site	www.davidbrucewinery.com

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Despite very large production (80,000 cases), this Santa Cruz Mountains winery continues to craft very attractive Pinot Noirs. David Bruce, M.D. was a true Pinot Noir pioneer of the modern premium wine revolution in California, and although not heavily involved in the winery now, his family has carried on admirably.

While practicing dermatology in Santa Clara, Bruce planted his vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains by hand in 1961. His winery was bonded in 1964. For 25 years, he carried on two careers simultaneously. Eventually, he decided to concentrate on wine, which was garnering widespread recognition. He was one of twelve Californians to participate in the famous 1976 "Judgment of Paris."

Bruce was an innovator and his many "firsts" include a Blanc de Noir, a white wine from Zinfandel grapes, late harvest wines, malolactic fermentation for white wines, use of whole berry fermentation for red wines, and the use of imported French oak barrels. He also was among the first advocates of foot crushing, extensive skin contact, small barrel fermentation and rotary tanks.

Today, the estate vineyard in Los Gatos has 9 acres planted to Pinot Noir at 2,200 feet. Grapes are sourced from all over California and multiple appellation Pinot Noirs are produced in addition to the estate Pinot Noir (sold only at the winery). The winemaker since 2004 is Mitri Faravashi.

A tasting room is located at the original winery at 21439 Bear Creek Rd, Los Gatos in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Articles About David Bruce Winery

2009 Pinot Noir Summit (7.16 4/18/2009)
Along the Pinot Trail: 2010 Pinot Shootout (8.9 1/22/2010)
Pinot Noir Shootout Favorites (6.13 1/22/2007)
Pinot Noir Shootout Prelims (6.48 12/16/2007)
Pinot Paradise (7.16 4/18/2009)
Small Sips of Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir (8.5 11/13/2009)
Tasting Santa Cruz Pinot Noirz (7.14 3/15/2009)

Reviewed Wines

2006 David Bruce Winery Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

10,854 cases, $42. This historic winery now turns out 60,000 cases of wine a year but still manages to produce consistently fine Pinot Noir sourced from multiple appellations throughout California. Bonded in 1964, the winery uses a unique collaborative approach to winemaking involving David Bruce, a team of winemakers headed by Mitri Faravashi, vineyard manager Greg Stokes and the sales and marketing director. The wines are widely distributed. · A very tasty wine that is black cherry-driven with nicely appointed new oak spice running through. The tannins are fine-grained, the mouth feel is satiny and the lengthy finish is embellished with lively acidity. Reviewed April 18, 2009 ARTICLE »

2006 David Bruce Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $44. · Ripe, dark fruits, straw, oak and a whiff of alcohol on the nose. Rich, generous and slightly sweet flavors of black cherries, plum and blackberries. Very smoothly textured with mild dry tannins and a brisk grip of acidity. Fine, but not exciting. Decent (+). Reviewed November 13, 2009 ARTICLE »

2005 David Bruce Winery Reserve Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

$42. A very popular wine with both the judging panel and attendees of the Pinot Summit. Winery (call) and retail availability. · Enticing aromas of dark stone fruits nicely accented by spice and cola. Saucy red fruits saturate the mid-palate and dry tannins provide a good backbone. The fruity finish teases but ends a bit short. Reviewed April 18, 2009 ARTICLE »

2004 David Bruce Tondre’s Grapefield Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot

14.8% alc.,55 cases, $45 Despite very large production (60,000 cases), this Santa Cruz Mountains winery continues to craft very attractive Pinot Noirs. David Bruce was a true Pinot Noir pioneer in California, and although not heavily involved in the winery now, his family has carried on admirably. The winery was bonded in 1964 and the estate vineyard in Los Gatos has 9 acres planted to Pinot Noir at 2,200 feet. Grapes are sourced from all over California. The winemaker since 2004 is Mitri Faravashi. · Enticing aromatics of black cherry and cola with a hint of farmyard. Spiced cherry compote lingers on the palate for an eternity. Velvety texture and perfect balance. A queen bee. Reviewed December 16, 2007 ARTICLE »

2004 David Bruce Winery Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

1412 cases, $55. Despite very large production, this Santa Cruz Mountain winery continues to craft very attractive Pinot Noirs. The 2004 David Bruce Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (4996 cases, $40) was also tasted and decent. The wines enjoy widespread retail distribution and are available on the winery’s website at www.davidbrucewinery.com. · This wine has it all: a deep, fruity nose, sweet and juicy Pinot fruits, velvety texture, and a crisp finish. Reviewed January 22, 2007 ARTICLE »

2000 David Bruce Commemorative Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 70 cases, $50. This wine was produced to commemorate the 70th birthday of David Bruce. The label features the work of San Francisco artist, Henry Jackson, who created an original painting, ‘Gather,’ for the label. Packaged in a very special tall and extremely heavy bottle with a wax seal. The wine was decanted. · Intense ruby color. Brooding aromas of dark berry jam, plum, barnyard, forest floor, oak and minerals. A substantial core of dark berry fruit is accented by hints of clove and citric peel. A big-boned, chewy and fruit-driven wine that lacks focus. The balance is admirable and the texture is quite smooth, but the wine just doesn’t deliver much nuance or excitement. It is crafted in the Burgundian mold of a Pommard. Pair with hearty food. Reviewed March 15, 2009 ARTICLE »