2006 Sonoma County Harvest Wine Competition
Best of Class >$25: 2004 Davis Family Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 300 cases, $38.
Best of Class <$25: 2005 Dutch Bill Creek Heintz Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot
Noir $23. This winery was founded by winegrower Charlie Heintz in 1997 and is a
small producer of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (1,000 cases). The label pays homage
to William “Dutch Bill” Howard who was a settler in the Occidental area in the late
1800s. The wines are available through a mailing list or by phoning 877-874-3852.
The website is www.dutchbillcreekwinery.com.
Gold Medal >$25
2004 Mietz Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir $30
2004 D’Argenzio Bacigalupi Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $36
2004 D’Argenzio Thorn Ridge Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $48
2004 WillowBrook Cellars Dutton Morelli Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 334 cases,
$42. A newer winery established in 2001. The winemaker is Joseph Otos. Besides this Pinot Noir,
there is a bottling from Owl Ridge Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. The wines can be purchased
online at www.willowbrookcellars.com.
2004 Mahoney Vineyards Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir $36. Francis Mahoney is a
legend in Carneros where he has been a winemaker and grower for
over 35 years. He founded Carneros Creek Winery in 1972 and for
30 years has conducted landmark clonal trials of Pinot Noir. In 2001
he left behind Carneros Creek to concentrate on farming his 110 acre
Las Brisas Vineyard in Carneros. The current winemaker is Ken Foster
who spent 15 years at David Bruce Winery in the Santa Cruz
Mountains. The wines are available on the informative website at
www.mahoneyvineyards.com.
2003 Larson Family Wines Estate Carneros Pinot Noir $30. The
Larson family has owned the land where the winery sits in Carneros
since 1877. Located just of Hwy 121 near the Sonoma Plaza, the tasting
room is open from 10-5 daily. The wines are also available online at
www.larsonfamilywinery.com. Currently, only the 2003 Reserve Pinot
Noir is listed on the website ($50).
2003 Paradise Ridge Elizabeth & Henry’s Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir $30
2004 TR Elliott Queste Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $32
2004 TR Elliott Three Plumes Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $32
Gold Medal <$25
2004 Kenwood Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $18
2005 Taft Street Winery Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir $18
2005 La Crema Sonoma Coast $22
