Tudor Wines

Since 2000, Dan Tudor and first-cousin Christian have been sourcing Pinot Noir from family owned vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands and Anderson Valley to produce small lots of premium Pinot Noir. The Tudor family has a long history of grape growing dating back several hundred years in Croatia. The Tudors began growing grapes in California in the early 1900s and still operate one of the largest table grape vineyards in the country. Dan Tudor made his first wines in 1982 in the Santa Maria Valley and the wines all won medals in amateur wine competitions. He has used the expertise of noted winemaker Larry Brooks since 1999 to guide him in Pinot Noir production. The wines are available through a mailing list and on the website along with limited retail distribution. In addition to the wine reviewed below, there is a 2006 Tudor Balo Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir ($59).