2021 Sonoma Bench Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 750 ml

The misty Green Valley AVA in the Russian River Valley is home to some of the area’s most quintessential examples of Pinot Noir. Vineyards like Keefer Ranch, Martinelli’s Bondi Home Ranch, and Hartford Court’s Fog Dance have made it one of the most famous and coveted Pinot-growing regions in California—and wines from those sites carry $60+ prices to match their acclaim.

That’s why the Sonoma Bench Pinot Noir has quickly become a Wine Access member-favorite. It boasts a stellar member-rating that elevates it alongside a bevy of top Sonoma names—but when it comes to quality-to-price ratio, Sonoma Bench stands alone.

Winemaker David Sayre has kept his finger on the pulse of Sonoma County over his two decades as a winemaker there. His hive of connections allows him access to some of the top vineyards in the area, and for this one he tapped some of Sonoma’s best sites for Pinot Noir.

More than other parts of the Russian River Valley, fog defines Green Valley: It’s the first place it rolls in and the last place it burns off. That allows the Pinot Noir there to ripen slowly, developing elegant flavors balanced on a vibrant line of acidity.

The long hang-times produce rich fruit whose power is matched by a bright acidic edge. Sayre uses a basket press at the end of fermentation, an old-school method that doesn’t wring as much juice from the grapes but results in silkier tannins. He follows it up with nine months in about a third new French oak, where the wine gains accents of gorgeous spice and vanilla, giving off the vibe of the much pricier bottles you typically find from the area.