Garnet Pinot Noir

Garnet Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2012:

Growing up amongst the orchards of Carpinteria, Alison Crowe knew by age 17 that she wanted to be involved in agriculture as a winemaker, so she studied at UC Davis and toiled for years in California’s iconic vineyards and cellars, from Chalone to Bonny Doon.

Today, she makes wine for Garnet, which is owned by one of the state’s largest vineyard companies, and produces a series of affordable-yet-classic pinot noir and chardonnay from her favorite properties in Sonoma and Monterey counties. This is a blend of fruit from the Russian River, the Stanly Ranch in Carneros, and the hilltops of Rodgers Creek Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap area (which Crowe is working to make an official appellation), offering a juicy yet spicy take on pinot. Buy it at the Carpinteria Wine Co. or BevMo.

See garnetvineyards.com.