Wine from Sonoma, California
Russian Hill Estate Winery
Wine is a passion. This infatuation with making superlative wine in the picturesque Sonoma Valley, whose character is derived from the unique climate and specialized soils, is what lead to the creation of one of the region’s most admired wineries: Russian Hill Estate.
Russian Hill Estate
Located in the heart of Sonoma’s Russian River Valley, Russian Hill Estate is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Ed Gomez and Ellen Mack. After retiring from an illustrious career in academic medicine, Gomez was ready for his next challenge, one that would combine his interests in engineering, business and wine, so he decided to open a winery. The task of finding the perfect location came down to his wife, Ellen Mack. She too has a background in medicine as a practicing physician, but hung up her lab coat to join her husband in their new wine adventure.
After an extensive two year search for the ideal location, Russian Hill Estate was constructed on a site ideally suited to the prized grapes of the area, Pinot Noir and Syrah. The climate here is different to others in Sonoma due to the proximity of the Russian River as it winds from Mendocino to the Pacific Ocean. The resulting maritime climate with fog-cooled mornings and sunny afternoons is the perfect combination for the production of ‘cool climate viticulture’ which is heralded for wines of great finesse and class.
The Russian Hill Wines
Pinot Noir has a worldwide reputation as being the most fickle of grapes, so it is only with extremely precise conditions and great care that these grapes are coaxed into displaying the magic they are so appreciated for. The person whose task it is to ensure that only the finest wines are offered under the Russian Hill label is winemaker Patrick Melley, whose impressive viticultural and vinicultural skills are mainly self-taught.
The focus of Russian Hill is the production of top-flight Pinot Noir and Syrah, both of which are grown in their estate-owned vineyards, but Chardonnay also excels in the conditions of the area and the only white wine made at the winery is sourced from some of the very best neighbouring vineyards.
The Tara Pinot Noir (named for the grand home adjacent to the winery reminiscent of Gone With the Wind) is one of the best known wines from Russian Hill. The current release is the 2006 which shows aromas of dark fruits and allspice, while the palate displays luscious flavours, soft, juicy tannins and a lingering, satisfying finish. A consistent award winner from year to year, the 2004 vintage was lauded with 17 points from Jancis Robinson and 90 points from the Wine Enthusiast.
The Ellen’s Block and Top Block Syrahs are testament to the sultriness capable from this grape. Unlike Syrah grown in warmer climates, these Estate wines display a subtlety underpinned by generous spice and dense complexity. As is the style in France’s Rhone Valley, a small amount of Viognier is added to the Syrah as the perfect complement. The current vintage of the Top Block Syrah, the 2005, has been awarded 91 points by Wine Enthusiast and will age well for many years to come.
To find quality wine from perfectly situated vineyards overseen by three passionate oenophiles at such reasonable prices is almost unheard of, but thanks to Russian Hill Estate, they do exist.
Visit Russian Hill Estate to learn more.
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