Domaine Anderson
Anderson Valley AVA
One of the newer addition to the superb array of Anderson Valley wineries
Louis Roederer is a name that has been synonymous with some of the world's greatest Champagnes since 1776. Not only is the Roederer family behind its renowned eponymously named estate in Champagne, France, but over the years, the family has acquired a number of well established properties in Bordeaux, Provence, Portugal, and California (The Roederer Estate and Scharffenberger). Each estate has been dedicated solely to the production of high-end, ultra premium sparkling wines, made in the traditional French methods and their wines are consistently highly praised year after year. In 2012, the Roederer family took a departure from their sparkling wine venture and established Domaine Anderson, a winery in California's Anderson Valley devoted exclusively to still wine production of premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
For a number of years, Roederer president Frederic Rouzaud had his eyes on a special parcel of land in Anderson Valley. The Roederer Estate and Scharffenberger properties were both already located in the Valley and had seen great success with sparkling wine production (using only Pinot Noir and Chardonnay). Frederic was convinced he could also make excellent still wines, and finally had the opportunity to do so after purchasing 50 acres in 2011. The land was planted sustainably, using strictly organic and biodynamic practices, to 17 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A state of the art winery was constructed in the existing building, and a stunningly beautiful tasting room was later added (in 2016).
The philosophy with Domaine Anderson is to create balanced, elegant wines that reflect the refined terroir of their origin. Grapes are sourced from the estate vineyard that surrounds the winery, and also a few select sites throughout Anderson Valley. One of the reasons that Anderson Valley is so unique is the immense range of microclimates that gives winemakers the ability to craft very different wines from various parts of the region. This has been a great opportunity for Domaine Anderson, which offers a stunning portfolio of vineyard-designated Pinots and Chardonnays from some of the Valley's top sites.
The debut vintage from Domaine Anderson (2012) was, not surprisingly, exceptionally well received, marking the start of yet another successful venture and prestigious name under the Roederer family group. We are happy to share this month's feature with our Pinot Noir Wine Club members. We are certain you will enjoy it. Cheers!
Map of the area
Darrin Low - Winemaker
A native of California wine country, Darrin Low's fascination for wine began at an early age, growing up in Healdsburg and working in his parents' wine shop. This early exposure to the world of wine led Darrin to major in Enology and Viticulture at UC Santa Cruz, during which he also studied abroad at Institut d'Œnologie in Bordeaux, France. After graduation, he followed his passion for Pinot Noir to Oregon's Willamette Valley, before returning home to make wine at J, Grgich Hills, and Flowers. Darrin is an advocate for organic and biodynamic farming methods and enjoys using a minimal interventionist winemaking approach at Domaine Anderson, the Louis Roederer family's newest estate property in the Anderson Valley.
