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Head High was founded in 2015 by Bill Price, Sonoma wine country entrepreneur and one time surfer dude, to champion Pinot Noir from great Sonoma vineyards as well sustainable viticulture and philanthropic-oriented business practices. Bill Price may be that major Sonoma County wine business leader that you have never heard of. For, while his name does not appear on any wine label or wine estate gate, he is an owner of or investor in many of Sonoma County’s storied wine producers, including Kistler Estate, Gary Farrell, and Kosta Browne, as well as the wineries he’s founded, Three Sticks and Head High. He also owns some famous vineyards, including Durrell and Gap’s Crown vineyards, whose fruit is used not only in Price’s wine projects but is purchased by several top-line Sonoma producers. Currently, Head High is offering Pinot Noir from the Sonoma County and Sonoma Coast AVAs, but the winery has worked with Zinfandel, Grenache, and Tempranillo in the past, either in a rosé or a red blend. In addition to standard glass bottles, Head High is producing Pinot Noir in 250 ml aluminum cans, which are super convenient for wine lovers heading for the outdoors and are 100% recyclable, too. For every two bottles of Head High purchased, the company donates one dollar to either the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation or Sustainable Surf, a non-profit dedicated to preserving the oceans.
Wine MakerBritt Richards
CountryUSA
RegionCalifornia
Head High Chardonnay is luscious and mouthwatering, a wine that bursts with ripe pear and green apple flavors. And even though this zesty white is made from excellent Sonoma County fruit, it’s priced a lot lower than its pedigree would suggest. The secret lies in Bill Price’s excellent connections with owners of top, cool-climate Sonoma vineyards, who sell him their fruit at extremely friendly prices. In 2022, the fruit was sourced from three vineyards with varying microclimates and clonal selections. The wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel without undergoing malolactic fermentation. The flavors stay crisp and fresh— more apple and lemon and less tropical fruit, toast, and butter. Even so, this wine is full-bodied and luscious in its mouthfeel. An excellent choice with Thai-style grilled chicken.
Here’s a enticing wine that checks all the boxes for great Pinot but at a price far lower than one would expect. Head High is sourced largely from hillside vineyards in the Petaluma Gap AVA of Sonoma county. These sites see plenty of fog all summer, producing fruit that’s bright, refreshing and high in acidity. Added to the blend are grapes from inland vineyards where sunny afternoons produce fruit with higher sugars and darker flavors for intensity, richness and depth. All the vineyards have such great reputations that several of Sonoma’s best producers buy the grapes for their top wines. The bright red fruit, crisp acidity and power of this wine all stand out. Serving slightly chilled will help mute the sharp edges.