On visiting Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery, winemaker Walter Gehringer focused on the Pinots: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. These vines share the same family name and in essence come from the same vine. In autumn one can find all three varieties hanging from one vine, confirming this relationship.
One can even find individual Pinot Blanc berries within a Pinot Gris bunch. If you keep walking the vineyard rows, you may also be so lucky as to find a berry with two distinct colored sections; one blanc (white) and one gris (gray). Look for this in the picture of their ad. This is attributed to the chimera genetic makeup unique to the Pinot family.
The 2011 Pinot Noir is lighter in style, fruit driven, revealing cherry and blackberry flavors. It’s soft tannins make it a very versatile wine, pairing with most of your summer foods. The 2012 Pinot Gris is crisp, fruity and refreshing, making it a great summer sipping wine, as well pairing nicely with fish. The 2012 Pinot Blanc is smooth, full in the mouth/palate and has a rich texture.
Layers of fruit are revealed on the palate. A food-friendly wine. Auxerrois and Chardonnay are similar in wine style with Pinot Blanc, but are definitely different and distinct varieties. They are not part of the Pinot family. Walter indicated that every year more effort in the vineyard is required to attain optimal maturity. The last few seasons have been quite varied. The many medals that are in view in the winery speak to this dedication.The Pinots are all Private Reserves and have received the utmost care in all facets of winemaking, from viticulture through to vinification. Developed for the discerning wine drinker, these wines have undergone unique fermentation methods to best enhance the natural characteristics of each variety. Some of these wines are in small lots, so visit Gehringer Brothers soon.
~ Dee Newman