Freeman

Owner(s)	Akiko Freeman, Ken Freeman
Web site	www.freemanwinery.com

Link to this site	How to link to an article or review about your winery..

Ken and Akiko Freeman started their winery quietly in 2001 and since then have developed a style of Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir that appeals to those who savor elegant cool-climate wines with lovely ripe fruit flavors. Their talented winemaker, Ed Kurtzman, is assisted by Akiko, and together they craft wines that are quite approachable upon release, yet show enough depth and structure to allow for extended development over the long term. There is a Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley appellation Pinot Noir, a vineyard-designate from Keefer Ranch, and the best barrels from each vintage are chosen by Akiko and bottled as “Akiko’s Cuvee.” Production is about 4,000 cases annually which includes a Chardonnay (Ryo-Fu “Cool Breeze”). Most of the wine is sold through a mailing list.

Ken and Akiko seem to be everywhere, hosting tastings at their winery, as well as participating in many Pinot Noir festivals and special dinners. This is in spite of Ken’s day job as an investment banker. They travel extensively and entertain Ken’s banking clients at home and abroad. The pair have lived in Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and Akiko hails from Japan. The result is that over 300 cases of Pinot Noir are sent to Japan each year.

The Freemans own a winery built into a hillside complete with extensive caves located in western Sebastopol. They have spent considerable time and energy in beautifying the caves and it is a comforting place to visit and taste. In 2007, they began planting their own four-acre estate vineyard on the hillside behind their winery. Under the guidance of noted viticulturalist, Greg Adams, they chose to plant Swan and Calera selections in the Goldridge soils of this vineyard.

Articles About Freeman

Beautiful Expressions of the Freeman Style (6.59 5/26/2008)
Celebrated Vineyards Focus Tasting (7.24 8/28/2009)
Marcy Keefer & Craig Strehlow: Keefer Ranch (6.62 7/19/2008)
Memoirs of a Wine Trip Well-Taken (6.5 11/26/2006)
Pinots from the Edge (6.57 4/7/2008)
Producer Spotlight Tasting: Ed Kurtzman (7.24 8/28/2009)

Reviewed Wines

2006 Freeman Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $41. · A complex array of scents including bright cherries, herbs, barnyard and oak char. The dark cherry, raspberry and cola flavors are saucy and lush, but the thick oak toast spoils the party for me. A perfectly well-crafted wine that will appeal to those who like oak with their Pinot. Reviewed May 26, 2008 ARTICLE »

2006 Freeman Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $41. · Moderate dark ruby color. Appealing aromas of toasty cherry, herbs and even apple notes. The palate is sturdy, full and long with nice black cherry and oak spice flavors. The mouth feel is velvety and the whole package is perfectly balanced. Not a blockbuster by any means, just a very comforting Pinot Noir that is easy to recommend. Reviewed May 26, 2008 ARTICLE »

2006 Freeman Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $46. · Moderately deep ruby color. The nose is a showy cherry bombast - rich and deep with damp earth accents. Substantial black cherry core, smooth, clean and tangy with a lengthy finish. A woodsy, earthy touch adds interest. A stellar wine from a top Sonoma County vineyard that is worthy of its own designation. Reviewed May 26, 2008 ARTICLE »

2006 Freeman Vineyards & Winery Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $46. · Moderately deep ruby color. A cherry bombast on the nose. Saucy, fat and lush black cherry core. Appealing earthy touch. Clean, crisp and tangy finish that lasts and lasts. Naomi Campbell in hiking boots. Reviewed July 19, 2008 ARTICLE »

2006 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvee Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $52. · A bit shy at this stage. Extensive swirling in the glass brings forth nicely spiced black cherry scents. This wine is a little better than the other wines in the lineup in every way. Creamier on the palate, especially on entry, more elegance, and a longer finish. Perfect integration of oak. You can drink it now, but it will reward further cellaring. Akiko knows Pinot. Reviewed May 26, 2008 ARTICLE »

2005 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvee Pinot Noir

425 cases Akiko Freeman selects her favorite barrels for this wine. Both Ken and Ed also pick out their favorite barrels and challenge her, but in every vintage, from 2002 to 2005, her blend is always the trio’s favorite. Poor Ed, his blend of his favorites never gets picked. We enjoyed this at lunch at K & L Bistro in Sebastopol (recently awarded one star by the Michelin Guide and one of my favorite restaurants in Sonoma wine country). · Cherries and spice and everything nice in the aromatics, delicate red fruit flavors with cola and tea, a soft, silky texture, and a generous finish of aromas and flavors that persist. An excellent food wine. Drinking window is 1-5 years. Reviewed November 26, 2006 ARTICLE »

2005 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvée Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.2% alc.. · Light ruby in color. Very charming scents of red fruits including wild strawberries, with floral notes (violets) as well. A graceful wine driven by flavors of red Pinot fruits with herbal accents. The finish is marred by a touch of woodiness which disappears when the wine is accompanied by food. Reviewed April 7, 2008 ARTICLE »

2005 Freeman Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

500 cases. This vineyard has produced grapes for many distinctive bottlings from several producers. Currently Ed is helping the Keefers bottle their own estate wine for 2006. · This is the only single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Freeman. Bottled separately because of its unique fruit, the grapes have a distinctive rose petal aroma, high acidity and plenty of fruit to back up the generous use of new oak. Reviewed November 26, 2006 ARTICLE »

2005 Freeman Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

900 Cases · Reviewed November 26, 2006 ARTICLE »

2005 Freeman Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

900 Cases · Reviewed November 26, 2006 ARTICLE »