2014 Scribe Ghost Continent Pinot Noir

Scribe Winery is part of the wave of new California wine ventures operated by young people aiming to redefine California winemaking. Founded in 2007 by brothers Andrew and Adam Mariani, their Sonoma estate was once one of the state's first Riesling vineyards. Another part of the estate was a turkey farm. The brothers come from a family of California walnut farmers that goes back four generations and their approach to winemaking is non-interventionist and site-specific. In keeping with the German wine heritage of the property, Scribe produces Sylvaner and Riesling, as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Carneros AVA, also known as Los Carneros, is at the southern end of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys at the top of the San Francisco Bay. The 8,000 vineyard acres are mostly planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both of which thrive in the district’s cool, marine climate. Carneros became an AVA in 1983 and it has attracted foreign wine companies along with local producers. It has been especially appealing to European producers of sparkling wines including the giant Spanish cava producers Codorniu and Frexinet, and the French Champagne house Taittinger. Codorniu in Carneros is called Artesa, and Frexinet’s Carneros brand is Gloria Ferrer. Taittinger calls its Carneros winery Domaine Carneros. The European producers also make still wines in Carneros.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.