Skewis 

Anderson Valley

Pinot Noir

I have quite the love for Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs. A few months ago I stumbled upon a very cute and quaint tasting room in Healdsburg, California that housed some incredible Pinot Noirs. There were two bottles that day that blew me away. I was was fortunate it enough to taste with owner and winemaker Hank Skewis. Hank came to California in 1994 and was able to purchase grapes from Anderson Valley's Flood Gate Vineyard. Hank also met his wife that year, which began their journey of wine making together. In July 2011 they opened their first tasting room in Healdsburg, CA. They harvest fruit from six vineyards in three appellations; Anderson Valley, Russian River Valley, and the Sonoma Coast. I fell in love with Hank's 2010 Skewis Ridley Vineyard Pinot Noir and his 2008 Skewis Marguerite Pinot Noir, both from Anderson Valley.

Skewis 2010 Ridley Vineyard

Anderson Valley

Pinot Noir

$50.00 a bottle

  

Ridley Vineyards is located on the valley floor in the heart of Anderson Valley. The vineyard stays dry and warm but, gets frequent thick moist fog in the evenings, allowing these grapes to become superb. This Pinot has aromas of candied cherries, anise, and slight mushrooms. This Pinot very elegantly romances the tongue with creamy red cherries, engaging spices, and ever so slight mushroom finish, with a lite splash of cola on the palate. Ridley Vineyard Pinot is truly exceptional, definitely softer and brighter of the two Pinot Noirs

Skewis 2008 Marguerite Vineyard

Anderson Valley

Pinot Noir  
$32.00 a bottle

Marguerite Vineyards are dry farmed vines located in the hills of the coastal region of Mendocino County, at an elevation of 1500 feet. This Pinot has strong aromas of forest floor, earth, and mushrooms. This well structured robust Pinot Noir first tastes of earth and dusty forest floor. I got an ever so slight taste of cherries on the back end, finishing with creamy mushrooms and woody smoke. Marguerite Vineyard Pinot was the bigger and bolder of the two Pinot Noirs. I loved pairing this wine with food which only enhanced it's flavors and softened it edginess. This yet again was another exceptional Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. After tasting Hank's wines, without a doubt Hank Skewis has mastered the Pinot grape.