Stomping Girl Wines

Owner(s) Kathryn Cohen, Uzi Cohen
Web site www.stompinggirlwines.com
 
Link to this site
Stomping Girl Wines

A small family owned and operated producer specializing in small lots of Pinot Noir. The owners and winemakers, Uzi and Kathryn Cohen, were inspired to start their own winery by their family's three generation winemaking history. The name honors Uzi's winemaking grandmother, Esther, his sister who stomped the grapes, and the "stomping girls" (the Cohen's daughters) who worked in the cellar. The Cohens began making wine at home in 2003 from the Las Brisas Vineyard in Los Carneros, enlisting the help of the family and friends.

Stomping Girl was founded in 2008, with the production of 100 cases of wine. They now soure grapes from the Russian River Valley, Carneros and Sonoma Coast. Winemaking was at a shared winery in Berkeley, California in 2009 and 2010 where production grew to 500 cases. Here they were members of the East Bay Vintners Alliance. In 2011, they moved to a shared facility in Sebastopol, where they produce close to 1000 cases annually, while maintaining their outpost in Berkeley.

The wines are available online. A Chardonnay from Hyde Vineyard was released in 2011 in addition to two vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs. Follow the winery's blog at blog.stompingirlwines.com.

Reviewed Wines

2013 Stomping Girl Beresini Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.48, TA 0.54, 450 cases, $36. Released spring 2016. Vineyard planted and meticulously farmed by Steve Beresini in 1989. Calera, Pommard and Dijon 777 clones. Harvest Brix 24.4º. 100% de-stemmed, 3-day cold soak, aged 11 months in mostly neutral French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose offers a profile of very ripe fruits including boysenberry, cassis and raisin, along with aromas of spice, toast and earthy flora. Robust on the palate, with a mid weight plus core of black cherry and purple berry fruits framed by firm but well-proportioned fruit tannins. Somewhat lush in mouthfeel with sap to spare, missing some vibrancy, but finishing with welcome intensity and length. Score: 89. Reviewed March 29, 2017 ARTICLE »

2013 Stomping Girl Wines Hyde Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay

14.3% alc., pH 3.24, TA 0.63, 350 cases, $44. Released spring 2016. Wente Hyde field selection and Robert Young clone. Harvest Brix 23.7º. Whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented, aged on the lees with regular stirring, 100% malolactic fermentation. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 10% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light platinum yellow color in the glass. Aromas of lees, apple, lemon creme, jasmine and brioche. Discreetly concentrated, with inviting flavors of yellow stone fruits, lemon, grapefruit, spice and subtle toast. Ideal balance with a slightly creamy mouthfeel, and a vibrant finish with good cut. The pedigree of the fruit shows through in this classy wine. Score: 93. Reviewed April 19, 2017 ARTICLE »

2012 Stomping Girl Beresini Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $36. Vineyard planted by Steve Beresini in 1989 using cuttings from his friend Larry Hyde. Calera, Pommard and 777 clones. Aged in French oak barrels which are mostly neutral. Racked once, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Interesting aromas of black cherry, mulch, truffle and toasty oak lead to mid weight palate of earthy and spiced black cherry, tea berry and black raspberry fruit flavors. Plenty of sap and intensity to satisfy, yet welcoming and polished. The finish is impressively long and satisfying. This wine bears the signature of Carneros. Score: 92. Reviewed November 19, 2014 ARTICLE »

2012 Stomping Girl Lauterbach Hill Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $38. This vineyard is owned by boutique grower and producer Stew Lauterbach, and is located just off River and Olivet Roads behind Martinelli Winery. Lee Martinelli, Jr., farms the vineyard. Pommard and Dijon clones. 3 to 5-day cold soak, 10-day fermentation, basket pressed with only finest press wine kept. Aged in French oak barrels which are mostly neutral. Racked once, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. This beauty smells like cherry pie class at cooking school with added scents of raspberry and dried herbs. The light to mid weight array of vibrant red fruits are embellished with a subtle savory herb flavor in the background. Crisp, with well integrated tannins and a juicy, cherry-infused finish. Score: 90. Reviewed November 19, 2014 ARTICLE »

2012 Stomping Girl Hyde Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay

14.1% alc., $40. Wente and Robert Young clones. Gently whole pressed with free-run juice sent to French oak barrels (one new, the rest neutral) at a cool temperature. Aged sur lie with regular lees stirring. The wine clear naturally, without fining or filtration, and was bottled with a single racking before bottling. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. The aromas pull you into the glass, with bright notes of lemon curd, pear, toast and subtle vanilla. Delicious lemon, pear and apple flavors in a bright, crisp and clean style with a slightly creamy mouthfeel. Amazing fruit goodness. Beautifully balanced with noticeable length on the finish. All you could ask for in a Chardonnay. Drink this one on a sunny day with your best friends. Score: 94. Reviewed November 20, 2014 ARTICLE »

2011 Stomping Girl Beresini Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.58, 150 cases, $36. Released March 21, 2013. Steve Beresini is a retired winemaker who worked alongside Andre Tchelistcheff and planted his own vineyard in 1989. Pommard, 777 clones and Calera selection. 100% dstemmed, aged 11 months in 100% French oak barrels, mostly neutral. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of black fruits, oak, mushrooms on the grill and bay leaf. Good concentration with tasty dark red and black fruits with a hint of toasted oak in the background. Lively acidity out paces the fruit, finishing with more acid than fruit on the finish. Good. Reviewed April 13, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 Stomping Girl Lauterbach Hill Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., pH 3.6, TA 0.52, 75 cases, $38. Released March 1, 2013. This vineyard is owned by Stew Lauterbach and farmed by Lee Martinelli, Jr. Pommard and Dijon clones. 100% de-stemmed, aged 11 months in 100% French oak barrels, mostly neutral. Unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish-purple hue in the glass. Sexy perfume of dark red cherries and berries with a hint of red licorice, rose petal and musk. Light and flush with finesse, featuring flavors of red cherries brought to life with vivid acidity. A slight green note of unripeness runs through. Good. Reviewed April 13, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 Stomping Girl Hyde Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay

13.8% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.60, 150cases, $40. First established in 1981, Hyde Vineyard is widely acclaimed. It is planted on gently rolling hills and cooled by wind and fog from nearby San Pablo Bay. The soils is well-drained ancient creek beds of clay loam and rocks. Clones are Wente Hyde Field selection and Robert Young hand harvested at 22.2º Brix just before the October rains. Whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented sur lie with regular stirring, 100% MLF, aged 11 months in 15% new French oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Mild yellow blonde color in the glass. The aromas of nectarine, lemon, Fuji apple and hazelnuts draw you into the glass. A very polished and sophisticated wine offering refined flavors of lemon, pineapple, green apple, and brine with a pleasing kiss of lemon on the finish. The wine’s underlying bright acidity supplies plenty of vibrancy. This wine has a Burgundian soul and reminds me of a William Fevre Les Clos Chablis Grand Cru that I recently drank. Score: 94. Reviewed October 27, 2013 ARTICLE »

2010 Stomping Girl Unhinged Sonoma County Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., pH 3.76, TA 0.573, 200 cases, $28, screwcap. From several small family owned vineyards (Corona Creek, Lauterbach and Beresini). 100% de-stemmed, 4-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation, aged in mostly neutral French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. A commendable, simple and straightforward offering, with aromas and flavors of black cherries, dark raspberries, and subtle oak. The middleweight core of fruit is wrapped in polished tannins leading to a smooth, satiny mouth feel. Nothing is out of place. Good (+). Reviewed October 2, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Stomping Girl Corona Creek Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 202 cases, $34. This vineyard is located in the Petaluma Gap. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, native yeast fermentation. Aged in French oak barrels. Unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of coffee, bark, tar, black cherries, sage and spice. A bit reduced upon opening. Appealing rich flavors of black cherries, dark berries and cassis, with a noticeable cloak of oak manifested by coffee flavor. Finishes with a little heat. May show better integration of oak over time, but not to my taste at present. Tasted twice. Decent. Reviewed October 2, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Stomping Girl Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., pH 3.80, TA 0.53, 100 cases, $36. 86% Lauterbach Hill Vineyard and 14% Beresini Vineyard. 100% de-stemmed, 4-day cold soak, native and inoculated yeast, aged in most neutral French oak barrels for 15 months. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Very savory nose featuring aromas of brier, herbs, spice and Bing cherries. Moderately rich core of dark red cherries and berries with modest finishing strength. Notes of cola and spice add interest. Soft and smooth on the palate with supple tannins. There is no weight from oak, so the wine is fresh, pure and easy to drink. Very good. Reviewed October 2, 2012 ARTICLE »

2008 Stomping Girl Lone Oak Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., $38. · Aromas of spiced plums and redwood are echoed in the flavors. Silky in texture with admirable finesse. Reasonably good but not much dimension beyond the fruit. Decent (+). Reviewed February 15, 2010 ARTICLE »

2008 Stomping Girl Split Rock Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $38. A newer family owned winery specializing in Pinot Noir from purchased grapes. · Shy aromatics with hints of black cherries, spice and warm cookies. Nicely weighted cherry and strawberry fruits carry over to a pleasant finish of moderate length. Doesn’t have the firm tannins often found in Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs. I admire this wine for its balance and finesse. Very good (-). Reviewed February 15, 2010 ARTICLE »

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