The Quest for the Quintessential Pinot

"Both of the Emeritus wines are exquisite."

  -James Laube, The Wine Spectator Online

The Emeritus Team has embarked on a new direction for Pinot Noir. Winemaker Don Blackburn has produced two elegant Pinot Noir wines, whose defining characteristic, he believes, is charm. Don explains that a great Pinot's appeal is emotional and visceral; seducing with nuance rather than complexity or intensity. Noble wines begin in the vineyard and the Team utilizes clonal selection, meticulous viticultural practices and dry farming to help the grapes achieve full ripeness without excessive sugars and extracted flavors. Then, to capture the wine's full essence—that captivating sultry elegance—the winemaker must listen to the grape and respond with a gentle touch.

Consequently, Emeritus wines are evolved with softened edges and supple tannins, yet retain their youthful vibrancy. The aromatics are clean and airy with the olfactory brightness of ripe fruit or the fragrance of freshly cut flowers, and work harmoniously to create a wine that infuses a sense of well-being.