The picturesque meandering country Olivet Road in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley was my starting point for the Winter Wine Land festival last month. Five fantastic vineyards in a row! Harvest Moon Estate & Winery turned out to be one of my most treasured finds.
Stoic dormant vines line the driveway of the Harvest Moon Estate & Winery, emulating a comfortable, familiar feeling of coming to visit an “old friend”. I was warmly welcomed into the cozy tasting room and invited to sample any of the five featured wines.
No better way to start the day’s tasting than with a light-bodied, aromatic 2012 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, radiant with bright fruit and a delicate rose-petal nose. But it was the 2011 Pitts Home Ranch Estate Zinfandel that stole my heart!
Harvest Moon Winery‘s winegrower and owner Randy Pitts, proudly poured this peppery beauty, saying that the 2011 vintage was a huge challenge as it was one of the coldest summers in over 42 years. Mission accomplished! Randy is so genuine and personable that you feel as if you’ve known him for years. As a real treat for any Zin lover, I was offered to taste the exquisitely aged 2003 Pitts Home Ranch Zinfandel! Absolutely Zinful….Need I say more?
Harvest Moon’s wine bottles can be considered collectible art, and are numbered and signed by Randy Pitts. Also, if you’re looking for something different, Harvest Moon Winery crafts three styles of Gewürztraminer ~ Ice-Style, Dry and Sparkling.
For a memorable tasting experience, add Harvest Moon & Winery on your next Russian River Valley wine trek. www.harvestmoonwinery.com