Hirsch Vineyards is a benchmark estate on the far western Sonoma Coast, founded by David Hirsch in the early 1980s when the area was considered too cold and remote for viticulture.

Located near Fort Ross, the vineyards sit high above the Pacific on steep ridges, exposed to wind, fog and extreme coastal conditions. Farming has been organic since the outset, with biodynamic principles increasingly adopted to enhance soil health and biodiversity.

Hirsch is renowned both as an estate producer and as a source of fruit for top Californian Pinot Noir producers. In addition to estate Pinot Noir bottlings, the winery produces village and vineyard blends such as Bohan-Dillon.

Chardonnay is also grown, though Pinot Noir remains the focus. Winemaking emphasises native yeasts, minimal handling and transparency of site, resulting in wines known for precision, energy and age-worthiness.

Sonoma County, located in Northern California, is one of the United States’ most diverse and respected wine regions. Its varied climate is shaped by both coastal influences and inland warmth, creating a patchwork of microclimates ideal for different grape varieties. The fog and cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean temper the heat of the interior valleys, allowing for a long, balanced growing season.

The soils are equally varied, ranging from volcanic and alluvial to loamy and sandy types, each contributing unique character to the wines. This diversity supports over sixty grape varieties, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thriving in the cooler Russian River Valley, while Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel excel in the warmer Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys.

Sonoma wines are celebrated for their balance and sense of place. Pinot Noirs are elegant, with bright red fruit, earthy undertones and refreshing acidity. Chardonnays range from crisp and mineral to rich and buttery, depending on winemaking style. Cabernet Sauvignons tend to be structured and complex, often with cassis, plum and cedar notes, while Zinfandels are bold, spicy and full of blackberry fruit.

Together, the climate, soils and grape diversity make Sonoma County a region of remarkable breadth, producing wines of distinctive character and flavour.

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most celebrated and challenging grape varieties, renowned for producing elegant, complex wines. Believed to have originated in Burgundy, France, over 1,000 years ago, it thrives in cooler climates where its thin skin and early ripening nature are best suited. Viticulturally, Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to grow: it is susceptible to rot, mildew, and pests, and requires precise canopy management to balance ripening with acidity retention.

Pinot Noir is planted across the globe, with notable expressions found in Burgundy, Champagne, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, California’s Sonoma Coast, New Zealand’s Central Otago, and Germany’s Baden and Pfalz regions. In Champagne, it is a key component of sparkling wines, typically blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. The wine's diverse geographical range means that you might also find it labelled as Red Burgundy, Pinot Nero, Blauburgunder, or Spätburgunder.

The grape produces wines of delicate colour but remarkable aromatic depth. Typical flavour profiles include red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, often layered with floral notes, earthy undertones, and hints of spice or forest floor as the wines mature. Styles range from light and silky to more structured and age-worthy, depending on climate and winemaking choices. Pinot Noir’s ability to express terroir with precision makes it a favourite among wine lovers, despite — or perhaps because of — its demanding nature in the vineyard.