Freeman Winery

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

After the unusually cool 2023 vintage, we had a much more typical Russian River vintage in 2024. With our second year in a row of cold, rainy winters, we went into March thinking we’d see a late bud break and delayed flowering. Soil temperatures warmed up quickly, though, and we ended up starting the growing season two weeks earlier than in 2023. 

The crucial month of May had alternating cool and foggy stretches followed by warm and sunny weather. This translated into a slightly smaller than normal crop size after bloom. Summer brought typically foggy nights and mornings, followed by sunny, breezy afternoons. September heat waves were short in duration and not extreme. The warm-up brought all of our Pinot Noir vineyards to perfect ripeness without any signs of Botrytis or raisining. 

Freeman’s own Gloria Estate, which we began planting in 2008, made up 60% of the 2024 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. The vineyard is always the backbone of our Russian River Pinot because it contributes ripeness, structure and beautiful flavors to the blend. All five clones from Gloria are included in the wine: Calera, Swan, Pommard, 115 and Martini. 

Since 2005, famed grower Jim Pratt has offered us his wonderful clone 2A Wadenswil Pinot Noir from his vineyard on Sexton Road in the Sebastopol Hills, not far from our winery. We also received some of his 777 in 2024. The Russian River Pinot Noir also includes fruit from KR Ranch, which comprises 19% of the blend. We’ve been working with Swiss clone 23 and Dijon clone 777 from this celebrated vineyard since 2004, which is the longest run of any of our Pinot Noir vineyards.

Freeman’s 2024 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir has a dark ruby color and a brilliant nose of wild blackberries, anise and cloves. The palate is perfectly balanced with ripe berries, plenty of acidity and moderate tannins. With a remarkably long finish, this wine should age very well, but it is also approachable now. Try this any time after its release and enjoy it through 2038.