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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.
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.
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Appellation(s) | Sonoma County |
| Winery | Head High |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Color | Red |
| Varietal(s) | Pinot Noir |
| Closure | Screw Cap |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Bottle Size | 8.0 x 29.5 |
| Case Size | 34.5 x 26.0 x 30.5 |
| Alcohol | 14.0% |
| Product Code | HH20PN |
| UPC | 857910005157 |
Bright ruby color. Intense aromas and flavors of red cherries and strawberries mingle with earthy notes of black tea, cinnamon, and toasty oak. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and alive with fresh acidity and subtle tannins.
Following a two or three-day cold soak, the must went into open-top fermenters for about two weeks. The wine was aged for 6 months in a mix of new and used French oak barrels.