Porter Creek Winery
Russian River Valley, California

About the Winery | Estate Russian River Pinot Noir | "Fiona Hill" Russian River Pinot Noir | Estate Russian River Chardonnay | Old Vines Alexander Valley Carignane | Timbervine Ranch Russian River Syrah

About the Winery
Owned and operated by father and son, Porter Creek is a winery and vineyard estate situated just adjacent to Porter Creek (one of the major tributaries to the Russian River on Westside Road) in the most prestigious part of the Russian River Valley appellation. With a strong commitment to the growing conditions in the Russian River Valley, Porter Creek focuses on organic, hillside-grown, vineyard designated wines of grape varietals from the Burgundy and Rhone. Porter Creek's wines are a unique, intriguing expression of the true Russian River Valley terroir. They are highly nuanced wines of power and finesse with a purity and depth of character that is unmatched.

Porter Creek Wines will be coming to Connecticut in April, 2009. The following wines will be available:

2006 Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
A classic Russian River Pinot Noir with bright red fruits on the nose, a rich pallet and nice mineral notes on the finish. Drink now through 2010 or so. Certified Organic.

2006 "Fiona Hill" Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir - Estate
This meticulously planted, steep hillside vineyard is situated along Westside Road at the entrance of Porter Creek with an ideal southern face. Hard clay top soil with a fractured stone bedrock places continual stress on these Pinot vines, resulting in a very expressive, unique vineyard designate wine. The nose has aromas of wild berries and forest floor, a weighty mid-palate and long silky finish. Certified Organic.

2007 George's Hill Estate Chardonnay
The growing conditions of this terraced, hillside vineyard, with mature vines and low yields produces a very unique Chardonnay. George's Hill vineyard extends from the hilltop down a steep terraced slope of approximately 30% grade. The soil profile consists of Franciscan, metamorphic hard clay with a bedrock of fractured stone material. The bedrock layer allows the roots to penetrate, but only slowly over time. Parts of the vineyard yield only one and a half tons per acre.

The grapes are harvested in the early morning hours in order to preserve and capture the fruit at perfect ripeness. The wine undergoes natural fermentation in barrel as well as natural malolactic fermentation, and is aged sur lees.

The 2007 vintage is extremely well-balanced. Aromas of lemon, lime and pear. Richness and mineral notes on the pallet, yet restrained with a long finish.

Demeter certified Biodynamic (and Organic)

2006 Old Vine Alexander Valley Carignane
The depth of character that comes from these very old vines lends to a wine that more than amply stands on its own. Old county records show that this vineyard was planted partially in 1908 and again in 1928. Like previous vintages this wine shows dark ripe fruits on the nose and soft tannins, but with more concentration due to the extremely low yield of one ton per acre.

2006 Timbervine Ranch Russian River Valley Syrah
Shows green olives and bacon on the nose, structure and concentration. Co-fermented with 5% Viognier, which rounds out the mouth feel and adds an extra dimension to aromatics. A dramatic wine coming from a very steep hillside vineyard growing in a cooler region of Sonoma County.