In The News

The Houston Chronicle

2019 MacRostie Pinot Noir Rosé Russian River Valley – 19.3 Points out of 20

Dry, fresh and fruity. Ripe cherry, peach and tangerine with dried herbs. Very drinkable.”

The Press Democrat

“Wine of the Week”

2018 MacRostie Russian River Valley Chardonnay

“There’s a paradoxical unity in social distancing. Who knew the pandemic would make many feel so connected, like kindred spirits?

‘At the winery, I would say being distanced from one another has brought us closer,’ said Heidi Bridenhagen, the winemaker of MacRostie Winery. ‘We’re in this together and it has brought out the best in everyone. The amount of empathy and understanding has been amazing.’

The philosophical winemaker who sees the upside in this pandemic is behind our wine of the week winner – the 2018 MacRostie Russian River Valley Chardonnay at $36.

Rich, yet balanced, this chardonnay has a blend of enticing tropical and citrus notes. It has aromas and flavors of green apple, papaya and lime. The wine begins with aromas of toffee, with citrus notes just beneath, and follows it through to the palate. The MacRostie has a lush texture, yet finishes crisp. It’s an impressive wine and a steal for this caliber of chardonnay.

Other top-rated chardonnays to consider include: Gary Farrell, 2017 West Side Farms, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County Chardonnay, $55; Jordan, 2018 Russian River Valley, Sonoma County Chardonnay, $35; Goldschmidt’s Singing Tree, 2018 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, $18 and Crossbarn, 2019 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, $27.

As for the MacRostie chardonnay, Bridenhagen said it was a delight to craft.

‘This wine is my winemaker’s playground,’ she said. ‘We work with so many iconic growers in the valley — the Duttons, Martinellis, Bacigalupis, Kent Ritchie, Charles Heintz and more. Each site is a small slice of chardonnay heaven, and with our Russian River Valley chardonnay I don’t have to stick to one specific vineyard. I can play with the diverse flavor and aromas from each vineyard and layer them together into what I feel embodies a great Russian River chardonnay.’

Making wine during a pandemic complicates logistics, but Bridenhagen isn’t losing sleep. Winemaking has made her an experienced tactician.

‘My job as a winemaker is a constant series of decision making, which is something I consider myself good at,’ she said. ‘So taking the pandemic and assessing each situation individually – is this action high-risk? Can I make it medium- or low-risk? – is just another layer to consider and address.’

Bridenhagen, 36, joined MacRostie in 2011 after working at Vinwood Cellars, a Geyserville production facility owned by Jackson Family Wines. She earned a degree in biochemistry and a minor in chemistry in 2006 from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

The winemaker likes the mysteries intrinsic even in a mainstream grape like chardonnay.

‘Many people have assumptions about what chardonnay tastes like, but chardonnay is incredibly versatile and has a huge breath of expression,’ Bridenhagen said.

The masked winemaking team sits 10 feet apart from each other when discussing wines.

‘Winemaking is an incredibly familial environment,’ Bridenhagen said. ‘It feels strange to not be able to hug, share a glass of wine and a meal with my co-workers or a shift beer at the end of a long day that was particularly rewarding. That said, winemaking has been going on for thousands of years and it continues even during a pandemic.’”

South Florida Reporter
by Tom Marquardt and Patrick Darr
June 14, 2020

“We don’t think anyone will dispute the fact that the last several months have been challenging. For many the challenge has been struggling with a virus that maims and kills. For others, the challenge has been coping with financial stress. Perhaps there is little to celebrate, but we like to look on the bright side. Better times are ahead. Let’s celebrate what we have.

Father’s Day is just around the corner and there is probably a man in your life who has braved exposure to the virus in order to keep food on the table. Maybe he is a doctor, a police officer, fireman, teacher, truck driver, grocery worker who has saved lives and risked personal danger to provide for our families. Let’s show the love.

Below we list some expensive wines – and a few not so expensive – that would make great Father’s Day gifts. Add a steak for him to grill and we are confident he will be a happy man.

2017 MacRostie Dutton Ranch Chardonnay Russian River Valley 

In a flight of chardonnays, this one stood out for its austerity. Aged in oak in just 17 percent new barrels, there is just a kiss of oak flavors. That plus only some malolatic fermentation and you have a clean, unadorned chardonnay that goes well with food. Tropical fruit flavors.”

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“This winery in Carneros Sonoma was founded in 1987 by Steve MacRostie, one of the early proponents of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Sonoma County. The winery today offers numerous examples of these two varietals from single vineyards located in several AVA in Sonoma, such as Russian River Valley. Petaluma Gap and Sonoma Coast, as well as other regions in California. Heidi Bridenhagen is the winemaker, and is involved with MacRostie in finding the best vineyards from which they can source outstanding fruit each season.

FORBES.com
by Tom Hyland
May 27, 2020

2019 MacRostie Pinot Noir Rosé – Excellent

Deep orange/coral hue; aromas of orange jelly and watermelon. Medium-bodied, this has impressive texture and a dry finish with notable persistence. I love the complexity and character of this rosé! Enjoy over the next two years. 

2018 MacRostie Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay – Very Good

Light yellow; aromas of vanilla, golden apples, mango and pineapple. Medium-full, with good concentration, this offers good freshness and pleasant tropical fruit, but lacks complexity. Good acidity, moderate wood notes. Enjoy over the next 2-3 years. 

2018 MacRostie Mirabelle Vineyard Chardonnay – Outstanding

Bright, light yellow; inviting aromas of lemon zest, red apples, and saffron with a subtle note of honey. Medium-full with very good concentration. Lengthy finish, very good acidity, excellent varietal purity, impressive complexity and balance. The wood notes are nicely integrated and the overall wine is very appealing and delicious. Lengthy finish with subtle notes of almond in the finish. Enjoy over the next 3-5 years. 

2017 MacRostie Hellenthal Vineyard Pinot Noir – Very Good

Delicate garnet; red cherry, strawberry, beet, delicate wood. Medium-full with very good concentration. Subdued style, nicely balanced, but I’d prefer a bit more fruit definition. 3-5 years. 

2017 MacRostie Rodgers Creek Pinot Noir – Excellent

Delicate garnet; cola, bing cherry, marjoram. Medium-full, impressive complexity, medium-weight tannins, excellent persistence, good acidity and a nice sense of finesse. Enjoy over the next 5-7 years.”

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The Press Democrat 

by Peg Melnik
May 19, 2020

“Tasty Alternatives” 

2017 MacRostie Thale’s Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – ★★★★: Highly recommended

“An earthy pinot with depth of flavor. Notes of blueberry, toast and a hint of mushroom. Full-bodied and balanced. Lovely.”

2017 MacRostie Thale’s Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Wine Review Online 

by Rich Cook
May 19, 2020

“A favorite Chardonnay producer scores yet again with a crisp, lively expression of Dutton Ranch’s tart apple and tropical fruit profile. Rich texture is preserved with 50% malolactic fermentation and some lees stirring while keeping the acidic structure clearly in focus, resulting in lively flavors and a crisp finish that pumps the pineapple character. Delicious!”

2017 MacRostie Dutton Ranch Chardonnay Russian River Valley

Seven outstanding wines. These wines are outstanding for their type and are worth the extra effort to seeking out.

by Jeb Dunnuck
May 2020

2018 MacRostie Wildcat Mountain Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – 93 Points

“More complex notes of mulberries, black raspberries, forest floor, bouquet garni, and spice emerge from the 2018 Pinot Noir Wildcat Mountain. Beautifully textured and medium-bodied, with a great mid-palate and silky tannins, it’s unquestionably an outstanding effort and should easily drink well for 4-6 years or more.”        

2018 MacRostie Kent Ritchie Chardonnay Russian River Valley – 92 Points

“From a site in the Russian River and aged in 25% new French oak, the 2018 Chardonnay Kent Ritchie offers lots of toasty and spicy notes as well as orchard fruits, medium body, a pure, clean, soft style, good acidity, and a clean finish. It’s another impeccably made Chardonnay that delivers the goods.”     

2018 MacRostie Wildcat Mountain Chardonnay Sonoma Coast – 92 Points

“Brought up in 24% new French oak, the 2018 Chardonnay Wildcat Mountain is another terrific effort. White flowers, toasted spice, peach, and honeysuckle notes all dominate the nose, and it’s fresh and lively, yet also textured and lengthy on the palate.”

2018 MacRostie Bacigalupi Chardonnay Russian River Valley – 91 Points

“Last of the Chardonnay, the 2018 Chardonnay Bacigalupi comes from a site on the Russian River Valley and was raised in 22% new French oak. White currants, apple blossom, spice box, and honeyed toast characteristics give way to a soft, juicy, balanced beauty that has good acidity and a clean, elegant style ideal for drinking over the coming 4-5 years.”

2017 MacRostie Thale’s Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – 91 Points

“The translucent ruby-hued 2017 Pinot Noir Thale’s Vineyard was completely destemmed and spent 10 months in 40% new French oak. Coming from a site in the Russian River Valley, it’s made in a more elegant style yet still brings the Russian River fruit profile with lots of cherry and mulled strawberry notes as well as medium body, a core of sweet fruit, and a great finish. It’s another balanced, charming, incredibly delicious Pinot Noir from this estate. Drink it over the coming 3-5 years.”

2017 MacRostie The Loch Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – 91 Points

“The most expensive release in the lineup, the 2017 Pinot Noir The Loch comes from a site on the Sonoma Coast and was brought up in 40% new French oak, with the balance in once- and twice-used oak. It has a touch more oak yet packs plenty of light cherry and strawberry fruit, subtle spice, medium to full body, a great mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a good finish. I don’t find it considerably better than the other releases here, but it’s still a terrific wine.”

2018 MacRostie Russian River Valley Chardonnay – 90 Points

“The 2018 Chardonnay Russian River Valley is in the same ballpark, with beautiful purity of fruit (orchard fruits, white flowers), medium-bodied richness and depth, good acidity, and terrific overall balance. Both of these two appellation blends are terrific wines well worth seeking out.”

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Restaurant Wine 

by Ronn Wiegand
February 2020

2017 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – 4 Stars: Excellent quality for its type, style, and price. Among the very best of its type for its price. Highly recommended

“Screw cap. Excellent: supple and finely flavored, this Pinot Noir is a crisp, balanced wine, with rose petal, cherry, red currant, black tea, and oak aromas/flavors, and a long finish. Shows a bit of tannin; can develop further. Fine value.”

2018 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Chardonnay – 3+ Stars: Very good quality for its type, style, and price. Has distinctive character and positive attributes. Recommended

“Screw cap. A full bodied, crisp Sonoma Coast Chardonnay of very good quality. It is round, delicately flavored (pineapple, white peach, lime, toast, roasted nut), balanced, and lingering on the finish. Very good value; will develop with modest aging.”

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Fodor’s Travel San Francisco

by Daniel Mangin 
Published 2020

MacRostie Estate House

“A driveway off Westside Road curls through undulating vineyard hills to the steel, wood, and heavy-on the-glass tasting space of this longtime Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producer. Moments after you’ve arrived and a host has offered a glass of wine, you’ll already feel transported to a genteel, rustic world. Hospitality is clearly a priority here, but so, too, is seeking out top-tier grape sources-30 for the Chardonnays, 15 for the Pinots – among them Dutton Ranch, Bacigalupi, and owner Steve MacRostie’s Wildcat. With fruit this renowned, current winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen downplays the oak and other tricks of her trade, letting the vineyard settings, grape clones, and vintage do the talking. Tastings, inside or on balcony terraces with views across the Russian River Valley, are all seated.”

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Wine Review Online 

by Rich Cook
April 28, 2020

“Another fine Chardonnay from one of my favorite producers. This multi-vineyard wine shows winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen’s talent for blending, showing nice range from apple and citrus notes to more tropical suggestions of pineapple and mango. A creamy mid-palate and a crisp finish make this a glass I could swirl and sip all day, or pair with a salmon in cream sauce. Well done!”

2018 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

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Forbes.com, Mariani’s Virtual Gourmet Newsletter 

by John Mariani 
April 23, 2020

“I’m not fond of people who serve me produce out of season, like the tasteless, sinewy asparagus people eat all year long and tomatoes that were picked in the middle of January. I therefore look forward with baited breath to what springtime brings to market, and I love nothing more than to match up wines appropriately. Now’s the time for strawberries, radishes, peas, arugula, basil, mint, fennel, morels, apricots, cherries, dandelion greens, fava beans, fiddlehead ferns, new potatoes and rhubarb to come out. (Artichokes are also in season but, despite the earnest efforts of  some wine writers to match them with wines, none really work.) And spring lamb is readily available and at its best. Here are some wonderful match-ups.

2018 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

At 14.5% alcohol, this is considerably more powerful than most Chardonnays, even from California, but, if you like this style, with pronounced oak and vanilla, this well-priced Sonoma example is your best choice for lobster with clarified butter, bluefish and soft-shell crabs.”

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by Virginie Boone
May 2020

2017 MacRostie Hellenthal Vineyard Pinot Noir – 94 Points: Superb; a great achievement

“From a high-elevation coastal site, this wine is dazzling in juicy red fruit, gentle spice and a great length and breadth of textured intensity. Toasted oak adds more spice and a note of dark chocolate, which combines well with the rich, rewarding core of berry.”

2017 MacRostie Klopp Ranch Pinot Noir – 94 Points: Superb; a great achievement

“This lovely, balanced wine from the great site is nuanced in rose, lavender and dark cherry-strawberry richness, the palate juicy and supple with generous tension and texture. Spicy forest and black tea mingle with ease amongst the core of fruit, the finish lengthy and graceful.”

2017 MacRostie Olivet Lane Pinot Noir – 94 Points: Superb; a great achievement

“This is a light, ethereal take on the variety, savory in forested earth, black tea and crispy red fruit. Made in a restrained, elegant style, it sings in acidity and energy, and has a subtle dusting of white pepper that is immensely complex.”

2017 MacRostie Terra de Promissio Pinot Noir – 94 Points: Superb; a great achievement

“From the famous Petaluma Gap site, this light-bodied, elegant wine is fresh and rich in baked strawberry, forest and dried herb. Lengthy in savory spice and black tea, it has structure to spare, with firm, supple tannin and integrated oak.”

2017 MacRostie Thale’s Vineyard Pinot Noir – 94 Points: Superb; a great achievement

“With a delicate floral nose met by cherry spice, this is a sumptuous and lovely red wine, fully lush in strawberry and black cherry. French oak wraps around the fruit effortlessly adding nuances of vanilla and baking spice.”

2017 MacRostie Cumming’s Vineyard Pinot Noir – 92 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“Juicy strawberry, black tea and turned earth open into a midpalate of light, bright acidity, with a meaty underbelly of richness in this wine, sourced from a vineyard in the Santa Rosa Plains and farmed by Charlie Chenoweth. The finish hints of orange peel and cardamom.”

2017 MacRostie Rodgers Creek Pinot Noir – 92 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“Tangy, edgy acidity underlies the buzzing core of this structured, high-toned wine from the new appellation. Stony mineral and crisp, crunchy red fruit defines its medium-bodied frame of complex tannin integration and graceful finish.”

2017 MacRostie The Key Chardonnay – 91 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“This is a master blend from the best barrels of the vintage from many of the best single vineyards, which showcases exotic quince, Asian pear and fig. Bright, fresh notions of tangerine emphasize the inherent acidity, with a rich creamy midpalate along the way.”

2017 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – 91 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“Floral, silky and succulent, this is a robust, full-bodied wine, expressive in blueberries and red-berry fruit. Dry tannins wrap around ripe layers of richness and texture and are seasoned lightly in dried herb and baking spice.”

2017 MacRostie The Loch Pinot Noir – 90 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“Tangy citrus is further boosted by tart, sharp acidity in this intensely full-bodied, ripe and boldly textured wine. The barrel imprint is strong, adding to the weight and breadth of the wine, which finishes in earth and black pepper.”

2017 MacRostie Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – 90 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“Creamy red fruit is complemented in a light, buzzy earthiness of tree bark, dried herb and mineral in this textured midweight wine. The appellation is well represented, the wine quietly rich in dark cherry, pomegranate and cola.”

2016 Clockwise Napa Valley Red Wine – 88 Points: Very good; often good value; well recommended 

“This blend of a majority Cabernet Sauvignon with sizable additions of Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec delivers simple fruitiness and dark layers of spice. Supple and approachable, it broods in blackberry, clove and earth.”

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Wine Review Online 

by Marguerite Thomas
March 31, 2020

“The grapes for this elegant wine come from the northern end of California’s Russian River Valley. You might savor it even more knowing that a scant 40 cases of the wine have been produced. This palate pleaser rests as light as silk in the mouth, offering bright berry nuances along with gentle hints of spice, cocoa and vanilla, while gentle and inviting acidity makes for a nice finish.”

2016 MacRostie Thale’s Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

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Forbes.com

by Lana Bortolot
March 31, 2020

“Forced to shutter their tasting rooms, U.S. wineries, which rely heavily on direct-to-consumer sales, are having to think fast on their feet. Survey results released last week by the National Association of American Wineries painted a grim picture of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the wine industry. Ten percent of the U.S. wineries responded, with the average respondent estimating a 63% decrease in sales during March. Anticipating business for April was also dark: on average, wineries expected a 75% decrease decline (with the median estimating an 80% loss). If able to resume operations on April 30, the average business recovery time was estimated to be three months. That could be a big ‘if.’

While waiting it out, wineries are finding ways to cope, discounting product and shipping rates and tying in charitable-giving incentives. And even in uncertain times, wine-industry leaders large and small are stepping up relief efforts—from cash and in-kind donations to employee and peer support. Here’s a roundup of who’s doing what to keep the juices flowing.

In Sonoma Valley, Bricoleur Vineyards is donating 10% of all wine purchases to the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Inman Family Wines is donating 5% of their proceeds to Meals on Wheels. MacRostie Winery and Vineyards will donate $10 to No Kid Hungry for every online order. Ram’s Gate Winery is donating 5% of net proceeds from their spring release to Meals in Wheels San Francisco. Winery Sixteen 600 will donate 10% from every order to the Redwood Empire Food Bank and the Undocufund to help people most effected by the ongoing pandemic and shutdowns.

The Donum Estate is charging a $10 flat-rate shipping for orders of any size (code FRIEND10), and will donate $10 to the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Response Fund for each online order.

For every 10 meals ordered through its dinner club, Kivelstadt Cellars will deliver one free meal to a service industry worker affected by the crisis at no cost, and is rolling out a donation meal program this week.On April 2, Three Sticks Wines will partner with Healdsburg’s SingleThread Farm restaurant and Sonoma Family Meals to donate 200 meals to the Graton Day Center, an advocacy organization for day laborers and other workers and their families. Another day of sponsored meals is forthcoming (TBD).

SHIPPING + SIPPING

Numerous prestige Napa wineries are offering free or reduced shipping, including Long Meadow Ranch and Stony Hill wineries (use the code SENDWINE at checkout for Long Meadow; code NEEDWINE for Stony Hill purchases); and Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel. Sonoma’s MacRostie Winery and Vineyards offers a 1¢ shipping on 12+ bottles, $10 ground shipping on 3-11 bottles (plus that $10 donation to No Kid Hungry for every online order).”

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Boozehoundz

by Michael Cervin
March 25, 2020

“A tinkerer at heart, Steve MacRostie was drafted in the U.S. Army as a cryptographer. That means attention to detail and Steve’s wines, which I have reviewed for over a decade, all have the imprint of his attention to detail all over them. His 2017 RRV Chard offers upfront notes of muted lemon verbena and lime kefir, with mid-palate notes of guava, light honeysuckle, white peach, and pear, and back notes of browned butter along with a mild acidity. The wine went through a partial malolactic fermentation, then was aged for a scant 10 months in both new and used French oak, but that accounted for only 38% of an impact on the wine, therefore it’s not overbearing. The result is a playful, balanced (between oak and fruit) wine that is elegant, usable with a variety of foods, or just to enjoy as a classic Russian River Chardonnay.”

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Wine & Spirits

by Josh Greene
April 2020

2017 MacRostie Donnelly Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir – 91 Points: Delicious, compelling; a compelling wine of its region; a delicious, finessed expression of place

“Catch this wine now for its pretty scent of roses and its gentle, peppery grip. It’s the color of a red rose petal and just about as delicate, with muddled-cherry flavors in the middle, ending clean and refreshing. Pour it with pan-roasted salmon and wild mushrooms.”

2017 MacRostie Manzana Vineyard Pinot Noir – 90 Points: Delicious, compelling; a compelling wine of its region; a delicious, finessed expression of place

“This is a tense, floral pinot noir, with a cool jasmine note over its formal oak structure. While half of the lot aged in new French oak barrels, the herbal fruit is framed by wood notes but not diminished. From a vineyard farmed by the Dutton family, this is a sophisticated pinot with lasting flavors.”

2017 MacRostie Rodgers Creek Pinot Noir – 90 Points: Delicious, compelling; a compelling wine of its region; a delicious, finessed expression of place

“The winds of the Petaluma Gap left their mark in the potent grape-skin tannins of this wine. It grows on a west-facing hillside in rocky, volcanic soils, taking on spicy green-peppercorn scents and dark cherry flavors. Grippy and bold, this is a wine for pasta with rabbit sausage and wild mushrooms.”

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Here are 29 excellent bottles of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir to look for.

Food & Wine

by Brian Freedman
March 18, 2020

“Despite the way that wineries are often portrayed in the movies, many of them are small family businesses that exist just a single bad harvest or ill-timed hail storm away from financial disaster. As restaurants close and in-person tastings have been greatly diminished, this is a good time to support your favorite wineries by stocking up on their bottles. The pandemic is impacting businesses across the entire swath of the economy, and wine producers are no different. Stocking your cellar is arguably the best way to support them right now, and it has the ancillary effect of making these strange, terrifying days seem a little less fraught. Wine has always been a source of sunshine in dark times, and we could all use that now more than ever.

Sonoma Coast has become one of the most popular, important sources of Pinot Noir in the United States. Due to its large size, however, and the range of sub-AVAs, or American Viticultural Areas, within it, you can’t discuss Sonoma Coast in terms of any sort of consistent style.

Andy Peay, one of the legends of Sonoma Pinot who has been at the forefront of the movement for the West Sonoma Coast to gain AVA status, says that painting the entire Sonoma Coast AVA with a broad brush is just as inaccurate as saying that you do or don’t like all California wines.

‘I’m in the very northwest corner of the West Sonoma Coast,’ he told me. ‘We don’t get out of the low-70s at the hottest time of the day in July or August.’ Fog from the Pacific Ocean comes through the Petaluma Gap, and while it warms up during the day, it gets a lot warmer in Russian River Valley and inland because the fog burns off, he said. Those differences throughout Sonoma Coast, and from pocket to pocket, can be felt and tasted in the wines.

‘The term ‘Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir’ means nothing and everything at the same time, simply because there is so much diversity in the region as far as microclimates and soil types,’ said Vanessa Wong, the owner of Fishtown Social, a wine bar in Philadelphia.

The wines are, in general, absolutely delicious, and the overall quality is very impressive across the board. Below are 29 wines from throughout Sonoma Coast worth looking out for. They come from boutique producers and famously large ones, and run the gamut in terms of price and the number of bottles that were made. Some are more lean and mineral in character and others are riper and more generous. What they lack in consistent style, however, they more than make up for in exemplifying why the diversity of Sonoma Coast and the ambition and vision of its top producers are so outrageously exciting right now.

2017 MacRostie Hellenthal Vineyard Pinot Noir Fort Ross-Seaview

High-toned and aromatic lifted. On the palate, a chocolate and caramel core anchors the generous red and black cherries, kirsch, and rosemary. Perfect with pulled pork.”

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Wine Enthusiast Magazine

by Virginie Boone
April 2020

2016 MacRostie Thale’s Vineyard Pinot Noir – 93 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“From an estate vineyard, this robust red offers waxy plum, dark cherry and stemmy earthiness, a mix of forest and floral that works against its integrated oak and tannin. Baking spice and cardamom season the richness of the fruit, allowing for a crispness on the finish.”

2017 MacRostie Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay – 92 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“This wine is rich and intensely citrus-driven, with robust oak and concentration. Balanced acidity helps contrast against the generous tropical fruit, crème brûlée and baking spice, allowing for a crisp finish.”

2017 MacRostie Champlin Creek Chardonnay – 91 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“Rich, round and tropical in nature, this medium-bodied wine is also citrusy in tangerine. Fleshy, full bodied and abundant, it has a long finish of baked apple and nutmeg.”

2017 MacRostie Dutton Ranch Chardonnay – 91 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“Juicy, soft, rounded and rich, this memorable wine is ample and opulent in pear, Gravenstein apple and vanilla, with a racy tease of tropical mango and pineapple. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced and food-friendly within its hearty oak and ripeness.”

2017 MacRostie Kent Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay – 91 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“From the historic site planted to older vines, this white is reductive on the nose, developing in the glass to offer juicy layers of pear, pineapple, golden honey and caramel. Made in a rich, full-bodied style, with texture and weight, it finishes heartily in toasted oak.”

2017 MacRostie Russian River Valley Chardonnay – 90 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“Thick and grainy in citrusy lemon zest and bright acidity, this appellation wine impresses in its high tones of pleasing jasmine and flinty rock. Green apple and mango star on the midpalate, as a thread of baking spice and toasted oak pierces through.”

2017 MacRostie Olivet Lane Chardonnay – 90 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“The well-established site in the heart of the appellation contributes dark, brooding flavors of baked apple, spice and oak to this richly layered wine, thick in pineapple and crème brûlée. It lurks in acidity, keeping the palate refreshed.”

Wine Enthusiast Advance Buying Guide

by Jim Gordon
April 2020

2017 MacRostie Day Ranch Pinot Noir – 90 Points: Excellent; highly recommended

“This nicely balanced wine shows all the good things about Pinot Noir in a compact, relatively light package. Red-cherry, oak-spice and tea-leaf aromas are followed by tangy cherry and cranberry flavors, energized by good acidity and mild tannins.”

The Press Democrat

“Wine of the Week”

2017 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

“The Sonoma Coast is full of intrigue for winemakers puzzling together a blend. They’re scouting the rugged terrain for vineyards that deliver something unique.

But if you’re Heidi Bridenhagen you don’t stop there. The winemaker of Healdsburg’s MacRostie Winery takes grapes streaming in from 30 different vineyards and creates 100 different, 1-ton fermentation lots.

‘With these micro fermentations, I’m really trying to tease out all the diversity Sonoma County has to offer,’ Bridenhagen said. ‘It’s really a big blend, but it’s really fun to make.’

The winemaker of these uber blends is behind our wine of the week winner –– the MacRostie 2017 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir at $34. This pinot offers generous fruit –– weighted to red flavors like cherry –– and impeccable balance. It has aromas and flavors of Bing cherry with a streak of cranberry, tobacco and cracked black pepper. Crisp acid keeps this fruit-forward pinot in sync. It’s a steal for the quality and complexity of this Sonoma Coast pinot.

‘Pinot noir can be very elegant and nuanced, and so trying to capture that and accentuate it and not overpower it, well that’s the challenge,’ Bridenhagen said.

The geographic reach of these vineyards stretches from the San Pablo Bay to the south to Sea Ranch to the north.

‘I really try to take the time to learn what pinot has to offer,’ Bridenhagen said. ‘I explore the vineyards, trying to see what kind of elegance and nuance they have. First and foremost. you need a cool climate to make pinot noir sing. The Sonoma Coast really offers a diverse vineyard portfolio.’

Bridenhagen, 36, joined MacRostie in 2011 after a stint at Vinwood Cellars, a Geyserville production facility owned by Jackson Family Wines. She graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2006 with a degree in biochemistry and a minor in chemistry.

‘I loved the field, and I thought I’d go to medical school or get a job in biotech,’ Bridenhagen said. ‘But after graduation, I took six months to travel all over — western and eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Russian. I was exposed to wine and the culture around it … In college we weren’t wine connoisseurs.’

After the trip, Bridenhagen moved to the Palo Alto area, and a day trip to Sonoma County changed the trajectory of her life.

‘I fell in love with Sonoma County that day,’ Bridenhagen said. ‘The wine itself was very eye-opening, and I loved the culture and lifestyle. So that’s how I became a winemaker.’

The career, she said, is a good fit, particularly when it comes to producing pinot noir.

‘It’s a very delicate grape, and it needs to be handled very intentionally and gently,’ Bridenhagen said. ‘But it’s also what makes it so special.’

Getting it right, the winemaker said, is very gratifying.

‘When you open a bottle that you and your team produced, and when it’s tasting really good, you remember everything that went into making it,’ Bridenhagen said. ‘It’s the ultimate reward at the end of a hard day.’

This week’s blind tasting

Top Pick

2017 MacRostie Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – ★★★★★

This pinot offers complex, generous fruit –– weighted to red –– and impeccable balance. Aromas and flavors of Bing cherry with a streak of cranberry, tobacco and cracked black pepper. Crisp acid keeps this fruit-forward pinot in sync. It’s a steal for the quality of this Sonoma Coast pinot noir.”

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by Sara Schneider
May 2018

“A slow, quiet evolution has transformed Sonoma’s wineries into the best places to taste this summer.”

“In western Sonoma—and the Russian River Valley in particular—the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are second to none in the world. Yet many of the tasting rooms where the wines have been poured have, until recently, been a little dated and more than a little rustic. Over the past several years, though, a stealth remodel has taken hold and a handful of new tasting rooms have redefined the Sonoma style—rustic still, but modernized and refined. Weathered wood shares space with glass and steel, and lounge seating turns Pinot and Chardonnay tastings into a luxurious experience. You might say the tasting rooms have caught up with the wines—together making an excellent destination for wine touring this spring and summer. Here are six of the best new spaces.”

MacRostie Winery and Vineyards

MacRostie’s stand-alone tasting ‘house’ combines weathered ceilings and tables with concrete for immense appeal. But its use of glass to take full advantage of the tasting room’s elevated perch is ingenious. The roof extends over the terrace outside for an indoor-outdoor view that stretches east over the valley to the Mayacamas Mountains and beyond, all the way to Mount St. Helena on the east side of Napa Valley. Reservations required on weekends.”

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by Sara Holzman
April 18, 2018

STAY: The Farmhouse Inn in Forestville, Calif.—a boutique hotel with chic rooms equipped with fireplaces, patios, and customizable bath scrubs—partners with 23 local wineries offering complimentary tastings to Farmhouse guests. A favorite: The MacRostie Estate House, producers of Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Located on a hilltop in the heart of the Russian River Valley, the winery has three patio terraces for tastings, each with an epic view of the valleys below. After a long day of tastings, kick back and roast s’mores (with homemade marshmallows) at one of Farmhouse’s outdoor fire pits.”

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by Jean Saylor Doppenberg
April 2018

MacRostie Winery & Vineyards
“The elegant Estate House has three patios and indoor seating for tasting single-vineyard designated Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, most sourced from Russian River Valley fruit, with free from $20-$25. Two stars of MacRostie’s portfolio are the 2015 Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay and 2015 Thale’s Vineyard Terrace Block Pinot Noir. An elevated tasting ($75) available on weekends includes a tour and wines paired with bites of cheese and chocolate. Reservations are required on weekends and strongly encouraged for weekdays.”

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by Brian Freedman
January 29, 2018

“We’ve all heard it before; maybe we have even been guilty of uttering the words ourselves: California Pinot Noir? It’s just too fruity, and everyone knows that Burgundy is so much better…”

“…Here are a dozen wines, listed alphabetically, that embody all of the excitement of Pinot Noir in the state right now. If you can’t find these particular ones, fear not: Just explore the shelves of your local wine shop. The possibilities, and the potential to be charmed, are infinite.”

2015 MacRostie Thale’s Vineyard Pinot Noir
A particularly elegant expression of Russian River Valley, with a gorgeously floral nose preceding harmonious flavors of red cherries, violets, and exotic spice.”

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by Lyle Norton
December 3, 2017

“Sonoma County has experienced tragedy from the recent fires. There was loss of life and property, and we all see areas of scorched earth where beauty once prevailed. The land will recover, and the community has begun the healing process with an outpouring of community support.

Thanks to the efforts of firefighters and other public service personnel, most of the landscape remains unchanged, including our famous vineyards. Sonoma County is open for business, and the experience of great wine, food and natural beauty is very much intact. The following recommendations are intended to deliver it all for a memorable day-trip.

…Leaving town and traveling west, Healdsburg Road, passing over Highway 101, soon intersects with the iconic Westside Road that weaves through the heart of the Russian River Valley. Not all estates along Westside Road are open to the public, but MacRostie Winery and Vineyards, Gary Farrell and Thomas George Estates offer special tasting experiences that focus on cool climate chardonnay and pinot noir. All of their single-vineyard releases feature noted local vineyards like Olivet, Durrell and Wildcat Mountain.

They all offer a broad menu of tasting experiences, held in modish settings, that are both exceptional and pricey. Indulge yourselves while enjoying fine wines like the 2014 Gary Farrell Durrell Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma Valley (94-pt). Reservations are required at each.

…Sonoma wineries are surely open for business and many are dedicating profits to assist fire victims. Enjoy some of the finest wines on the planet and help Sonoma County rebuild itself. Your taste buds will thank you.”

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by Linda Murphy
December, 2017

Let’s be honest: Sonoma’s most acclaimed and highest-quality wines are expensive.

Top-tier Sonoma Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, the current darlings of critics and collectors, command $60 a bottle and up. That’s painful for many of us, yet Sonoma wines are less pricey than Napa Valley bottles of similar quality. Heck, even some Napa types slink into Sonoma to source their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, so admired are our county’s grapes.

While this list is studded with wines most would consider special-occasion purchases, there are also many reasonably priced bottles and some crazy-good values. In addition to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, our Top 100 showcases rosé — its popularity soaring now that sweet White Zinfandel is firmly in the rear-view mirror. ‘Red’ Zinfandel remains historically and deliciously important, with high-alcohol versions largely giving way to wines with balance and freshness. Sauvignon Blanc, Rhône Valley-style wines, Bordeaux varietals and sparklers are all represented here, underscoring Sonoma’s ability to produce a diverse range of fine wines.

Drink up, in moderation.

2015 MacRostie Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay
“A new wine for MacRostie, it’s rich and polished, with unfolding layers of pear, green apple, hazelnut and caramel. The finish is lemony and brisk, making it a great mate for Caesar salad, grilled salmon cakes, chicken salad and seafood pasta.”

2015 MacRostie Thale’s Vineyard ‘Terrace Block’ Pinot Noir
“Named for Steve MacRostie’s wife, Thale (THAY-lee), this inaugural bottling from the estate vineyard on Westside Road is arguably the winery’s ‘biggest’ Pinot Noir. Yet it’s still balanced and refined, with silky texture and refreshing acidity carrying the juicy black currant and blueberry fruit and hints of mocha and spice.”

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The Best of Wine Country Awards recognize the wine country community for its excellence in all things that make wine country so great — the creative, innovative, philanthropic, eco-friendly and unique components of wineries we know and love. Earlier this year, we invited you to check out the award categories and submit your entries. All nominees had to be located in Northern California from Lake County to Carmel.

On June 15th, 2017 The Best of Wine Country Awards Steering Committee voted on the final nominees and winners based on the nominations received online.

On August 23, 2017 all nominees plus guests of San Francisco magazine gathered at The Pearl SF for a celebration and awards gala announcing the winners.

We are incredibly grateful and proud to have been named ‘Best Winery in Sonoma’ and ‘Best Tasting Room in Napa and Sonoma’. Thank you to our extraordinary team, our partners and especially to our amazing guests.

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by Tim Fish
June 15, 2016

MacRostie’s single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs take center stage at its stylish new tasting room. Perched above Westside Road, the space offers sweeping views of the Russian River Valley, the distant Maya-camas mountains and Mount St. Helena. Visitors are met at the entrance with a glass of rosé or Chardonnay, followed by a sit-down tasting curated by a “wine ambassador.” Take a seat on one of the elegant outdoor patios or relax in the airy lounge and revel in the beauty of the scenery while learning about the different vineyards the label sources. Tastings range from a mini-vertical of Pinot Noir to a flight of six wines. You can also book a tour of the estate, which includes a private tasting paired with local bites.

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by Mary Orlin
February 4, 2016

“The standard winery tasting bar is so 2012. Who wants to elbow their way in, just to taste a few $20+ sips? In Napa and Sonoma, the term tasting room is out — and ‘hospitality house’ is in. Instead of bellying up to the bar, you relax in intimate living rooms and wine lounges, served by a ‘wine educator,’ in lieu of a ‘pourer.’ And you don’t winery hop, you relax and stay a while. Here’s just a sampling of new winery tasting experiences.”

MacRostie Winery and Vineyards
“Sip wine in the winery’s new Estate House, where the patios overlook 13 acres of pinot noir vines, and the indoor lounge, with its soaring wood ceilings, concrete floors and modern industrial decor, boasts views from every angle. Try the Estate House Tasting ($20-$25), with MacRostie’s exceptional Russian River and Sonoma Coast chardonnay and pinot noir wines, or the Elevated Tour & Tasting ($55) of single-vineyard wines paired with savory bites.”

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New reviews of rich whites from the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley

by Augustus Weed
January 18, 2016

“Tax season is peeking around the corner, so now is a good time to take stock of your wine budget. We’ll help you stretch your dollar further with six exciting Chardonnays for $30 or less.

Take MacRostie’s Sonoma Coast bottling for example. At $25, it offers plenty of zesty, citrus-kissed fruit and mouthwatering acidity, making it a welcome guest at the dinner table. The grapes were whole-cluster pressed, with some of the lots fermented in stainless steel to emphasize the bright fruit and aromatics.”

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by Virginie Boone
December 2015

2013 MacRostie Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay
91 Points: Excellent; Highly recommended
“From two blocks of the vineyard, this light, crisp, medium-weighted wine stays refreshing on the palate and remains complex in acidity. Nutmeg dances throughout its soft layers, while the finish burnishes in rich vanilla brioche.”

2013 MacRostie Russian River Valley Chardonnay
90 Points: Excellent; Highly recommended
“From a vineyard site farmed by the Duttons called Matthew’s Station, this is a gentle wine, medium in weight, with nuances of green apple and fresh-squeezed lemon. Balanced, it offers a twist of toffee and oak beneath its crisper notes, finishing warm in nutmeg and ginger spice.”

by Gabe Sasso
November 13, 2015

“…The experience at MacRostie is exceptional. From the moment I stepped out of me car I was greeted by a welcome wine, until I was bid farewell on the way out the door I had a fantastic time.

To begin with, the room is warm and inviting with a welcoming wine country feel. There are a number of spots you can sit with different types of seating both inside and out. A lot will depend on your group size and some will depend on where you’re going to be most comfortable. The unvarnished truth is it would remarkably difficult not to feel at home anywhere on their property. There are several tasting options in a number of price levels and options that are suited for both small and larger groups. Some involve food pairing and a personal wine ambassador for the length of your stay.

The experience at the MacRostie Estate House is as good as the wine has always been, which is to say fabulous…”

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by Garrick Ramirez
September 3, 2015

MacRostie Winery & Vineyards

Designed by San Francisco’s Gould Evans, the stylish MacRostie Estate House raises the stakes for its tasting room peers. With interiors layered in warm wood, tan leather, and polished concrete, it feels more akin to the chic Wine Country abode of a well-to-do friend. Sip the region’s famed pinot noir and chardonnay as you take in sweeping, hilltop views through floor-to-ceiling windows or from one of three outdoor patios.

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by James Laube
September 2015

…“Both 2012 and 2013 delivered Pinot Noir of exceptional quality throughout Sonoma County,” says Steve MacRostie of MacRostie. “While the two vintages are quite similar, we are seeing a little more intensity and concentration in our 2013s.”

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by Paige Porter Fischer
April 25, 2015

“Westside Road winds through some of the most picturesque vineyards in Sonoma, past hillsides that look like green corduroy, ribbed with grapevines producing some of the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in California.

The drive — beginning at Wohler Bridge, which crosses the Russian River, for which this valley is named — snakes through tunnels of statuesque oak trees, past weathered barns that beg for photos, and venerable wineries like Rochioli, Gary Farrell and Williams Selyem. But there’s one new driveway along this hallowed back road that demands that you put on the brakes…”

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April 24, 2015

“And suddenly it’s Friday.

Might we suggest a jaunt to the MacRostie Winery and Vineyards, the esteemed estate that’s finally got a “What’s a new word for idyllic?” tasting room, open now.

…And then you’ll find yourself gazing off into the sun setting on the horizon, working your way through one of the three tasting options (the “Evolution” is three pinots), and maybe, as a thought exercise, trying to come up with a single thing wrong with this entire scenario.”

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by Greg Walter
March 18, 2015

“…it’s great to be able to write about a winemaker who has been a fixture here in the Sonoma Valley for decades who in the last five years or so has hit some truly high points on the “dreams realized” list.”

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by Rusty Gaffney
January 22, 2015

“[the wines] were highly approachable and elegant, with modest tannins and minimal oak overlay. The wines represent outstanding value relative to quality and should be sought out.”

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