Lazy Day Pinot Noir/Lazy Creek Vineyards

I recently traveled into Anderson Valley,and stopped at Lazy Creek Vineyards.Pinot Noir will be on our minds today,and a dish or two.First let's check out the tasting notes and a little history on this great winery. When Don and Rhonda Carano discovered Lazy Creek Vineyards, their first thought was, “What a magical place!” Driving up a narrow dirt road off of Highway 128, across three rough-hewn wooden bridges surrounded by majestic redwoods and rambling bushes, they found a small winery and a 100-year-old farmhouse nestled in a hollow surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards and gardens. Instantly smitten, they purchased the 95-acre ranch, which at the time was planted to roughly 40 acres of grapes including Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Chardonnay. Don and Rhonda are dedicated to the philosophy and tradition of producing European/Alsatian-style wines. “We believe that great wines begin in the vineyard, and we feel honored to carry on the tradition of superbly-crafted, artisan wines established by those before us at Lazy Creek,” says Don. The future of Lazy Creek Vineyards is bright and exciting, as Don and Rhonda, also owners of Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery, have spent years accumulating and cultivating some of the finest vineyard properties in all of California, and Pinot Noir vineyards are no exception. Graduating in 2001 with an enology degree from California State University Fresno, Christy Ackerman was drawn to winemaking inspired by its hands-on nature and its mixture of chemistry and art. She began her winemaking career as a harvest intern at Murphy Goode for one season, and then moved on to Jordan Winery in 2001 as assistant winemaker. In 2006, Christy joined the winemaking team at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery as associate winemaker, working on Ferrari-Carano’s Russian River Valley and Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Project. This experience led Christy to Lazy Creek Vineyards, where she has headed up the winemaking team since 2008, shortly after Don and Rhonda Carano, owners of Ferrari-Carano, purchased the property. The vintage started with some good rain in December 2012 which carried the 2013 Lazy Day Pinot Noir through another drought cycle. The growing season was perfect, warm through the summer into September and then cooling down again in October. Vines ripened a bit on the early side. A big crop was set in spite of the drought conditions and extensive thinning had to be done to balance the vines. WINEMAKER NOTES The hand-harvested grapes for this Pinot Noir are fermented in macrobins and small, open-top tanks. Lots are cold soaked for two to three days to optimize fruit aromas and flavors, and various yeast strains are used for complexity. Fermentors are punched down one to three times per day. Wines are pressed when dry and then placed in barrels to complete malolactic fermentation. FOOD PAIRINGS Our “Lazy Day” Pinot Noir is delicious paired with braised meats, fowl, veal, salmon, lobster, prawns, and dishes with creamy sauces and spicy seasonings. Medium-textured soups and stews also pair nicely. I think we are ready!Please join us as we enjoy great Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley.Cheers! Click here as we saved you a seat.