Davis Bynum

When Davis Bynum started making wine in the Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir was not commonly produced in the region—in fact, this delicate and often fickle varietal was largely ignored in favor of the more robust Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. But in 1973, Davis Bynum became enamored with the Pinot Noir grapes from Joe Rochioli vineyards. The wine produced from that year’s grapes was, as Davis says, “really good, surprisingly good.”