MARCHELLE WINES
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Explore Russian River Pinot Noir through the vineyards, wines and perspective of Marchelle Wines and winemaker Greg La Follette. From our Harmony Lane Estate Vineyard in Green Valley to small-production Pinot Noir from exceptional vineyard sites, discover how fog, soil, climate and winemaking shape one of California’s great expressions of Pinot Noir.
Terroir in Focus
What Makes Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Distinctive?
The Russian River Valley has become one of California’s most celebrated regions for Pinot Noir, shaped by a remarkable relationship between the Pacific Ocean, coastal fog and the landscape of western Sonoma County.
Cool marine air and fog move inland through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River corridor, moderating daytime temperatures and creating cool mornings and evenings. For Pinot Noir—a thin-skinned grape particularly sensitive to heat—these conditions can extend the growing season, allowing flavor and aromatic development to progress while preserving the natural acidity that gives the wine freshness, energy and structure.
But there is no single expression of Russian River Pinot Noir. The AVA encompasses a diverse collection of vineyard sites, elevations, exposures and soils. Pinot Noir grown in the cooler western reaches of the appellation can develop differently from fruit grown farther inland, making vineyard location an essential part of understanding the wines.
One of the region’s most recognized soil types is Goldridge, a fine, sandy loam found extensively in the Green Valley area. Its drainage and relatively low vigor can be particularly well suited to Pinot Noir, encouraging balanced vine growth and allowing the character of an individual vineyard to emerge.
At Marchelle, we believe the most compelling Russian River Pinot Noir begins with that sense of place. Our goal is not to impose a house style on every vineyard, but to allow differences in site, vintage and farming to remain visible in the finished wine.
Why is the Russian River Valley good for Pinot Noir?
The Russian River Valley’s cool maritime climate, frequent fog and long growing season can allow Pinot Noir to ripen gradually while retaining natural acidity. Combined with the region’s varied soils and vineyard sites, these conditions can produce wines with aromatic complexity, freshness and a strong expression of place.
The Winemaking Philosophy
Our Approach to Pinot Noir
Guided by winemakers Greg La Follette and Evan Damiano, our Pinot Noir begins with a simple idea: listen to the vineyard. In the Russian River Valley, coastal fog, morning sun and Goldridge soils shape wines of freshness, texture and aromatic complexity. Through native yeast fermentation, minimal intervention and gentle handling in the cellar, we seek not to impose a style, but to let each vineyard reveal its own character in the glass.
OUR ESTATE VINEYARD
Harmony Lane Estate
Tucked into the cool western reaches of the Russian River Valley, Harmony Lane is Marchelle’s three-acre estate Pinot Noir vineyard in the Green Valley area, where coastal influence, Goldridge soils and a remarkable position near the edge of the marine layer come together.
Situated just below an approximately 800-foot ridgeline, Harmony Lane occupies a fascinating climatic boundary. Pacific fog pushes into this part of western Sonoma County, bringing cool, misty mornings, while afternoon sun can emerge above the marine layer. The daily movement between fog and sun helps create the long, measured growing conditions that make this part of the Russian River Valley so compelling for Pinot Noir.
Goldridge Soils and Pinot Noir
Harmony Lane is planted in Goldridge soils, the fine, sandy loam closely associated with Green Valley and some of the Russian River Valley’s most respected Pinot Noir vineyards. These well-draining soils can naturally moderate vine vigor and encourage the vine to devote its energy toward its fruit.
For us, soil is not simply a technical detail. It is one part of the vineyard’s identity—along with elevation, exposure, fog, farming and vintage—that ultimately influences what we taste in the glass.
Three Acres. Three Pinot Noir Clones.
Our estate vineyard is planted to Dijon clones 667, 115 and 777. Each can contribute different aromatic, textural and structural characteristics, giving winemaker Greg La Follette multiple expressions of the same vineyard to work with during harvest and blending.
Rather than trying to make the vineyard taste the same every year, our goal is to understand what Harmony Lane is telling us in each vintage and preserve that character through the winemaking process.
- Location: Green Valley of Russian River Valley (800 ft elevation)
- Terroir: Goldridge soils (well draining fine sandy loam)
- Primary Varietal: Pinot Noir (Dijon 115, 667 and 777 clones)
EXCLUSIVE ESTATE RELEASE
2022 Harmony Lane Estate Pinot Noir
2026 Pinot Cup Winner
2026 PINOT CUP WINNER
Top Honors at Charlie Palmer’s Pigs & Pinot
The 2022 Harmony Lane Estate Pinot Noir took top honors in the Pinot Cup at Charlie Palmer’s Pigs & Pinot in Healdsburg, a blind tasting centered on Pinot Noir from over 60 producers from California and Oregon.
FROM VINEYARD TO BOTTLE
Harmony Lane Estate
Pinot Noir
$100
The 2022 Harmony Lane Estate Pinot Noir is an expression of our three-acre estate vineyard in the cool Green Valley area of the Russian River Valley. For winemaker Greg La Follette, the goal is not to overwhelm the character of the vineyard, but to translate what the site and vintage give us into the finished wine.
Harmony Lane’s position near the edge of the marine layer, its Goldridge soils and its Dijon Pinot Noir selections combine to produce a wine shaped as much by place as by winemaking.
A Pinot Noir Defined by Place
The 2022 vintage captures the balance we seek from Harmony Lane: aromatic expression, freshness, texture and structure. It is a Pinot Noir intended to reveal itself gradually in the glass and at the table rather than rely on sheer ripeness or extraction.
Its character reflects the cool growing conditions of western Russian River Valley and our belief that great Pinot Noir should retain a clear connection to the vineyard where it was grown.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Appellation: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
- Composition: 100% Pinot Noir (Dijon Clones 115, 667 & 777)
- Aging: 30 Months in French Oak (20% New)
- Alcohol: 14.9% | Production: 100 cases
ANOTHER EXPRESSION OF PINOT NOIR
Grower's Reserve
Pinot Noir
$46
Where Harmony Lane allows us to explore Pinot Noir through the lens of a single estate vineyard, our Grower’s Reserve reflects another side of Greg La Follette’s approach to the variety: bringing together distinct vineyard expressions to create a complete and compelling wine.
For Greg, blending is not about making individual vineyard characteristics disappear. It is an opportunity to understand what each component contributes—aromatics, texture, acidity, fruit and structure—and find the point where those elements become more expressive together.
The Art of Blending Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is remarkably transparent to where and how it is grown. Even vineyards separated by relatively short distances can produce wines with noticeably different personalities.
The Grower’s Reserve gives Greg the opportunity to work with those differences. Individual lots are evaluated for their character and contribution to the final blend, creating a Pinot Noir that represents both vineyard diversity and a winemaker’s perspective.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Appellation: Sonoma County (Blend of Harmony Lane and van der Kamp)
- Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
- Aging: 16 months in French Oak (20% New)
- Alcohol: 13.4% ABV | Production: 200 Cases
What is a blended Pinot Noir?
A blended Pinot Noir can combine wines from different vineyard blocks, clones, lots or vineyard sites. A winemaker can use those individual components to balance aromatics, fruit, acidity, texture and structure while preserving the character Pinot Noir derives from where it is grown.
WINEMAKER PERSPECTIVE
In the Vineyard with Greg La Follette
For Greg La Follette, making Pinot Noir begins by listening to the vineyard rather than imposing a predetermined style on the wine. At Marchelle’s Harmony Lane Estate Vineyard, that philosophy means understanding how site, exposure, soil and vintage influence the fruit before making decisions in the cellar.
Greg has spent decades working with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from cool-climate California vineyards and was the founding winemaker at Flowers Vineyard & Winery.
Run Time: 2 mins
Transcript: Greg La Follette at Harmony Lane Vineyard
“I never set out to be a Pinot Noir winemaker. Because I did my post-graduate work on how Burgundian winemaking techniques affect mouthfeel, finally, at one point, I just surrendered to Pinot Noir. I just said, ‘Take me, I’m yours.’
You have to approach Pinot Noir winemaking with no preconceived notions. You have to approach that wine with an empty slate and say, ‘You tell me what it is that you want to be.’
I got introduced to Harmony Lane Vineyard. It’s on Goldridge soil, and it’s a pretty unique site because it is a very gently easterly facing slope. So you get some morning sunlight coming in, and by the afternoon you don’t have any direct solar penetration.
The other special thing about Harmony Lane is that it is at the very top ridge of the Green Valley appellation. Pretty much ground zero of really great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
This particular site, the Harmony Lane Vineyard, has the ability to make wine that’s a little bit more wholesome, a little darker.
I want wine to be demystified and to be an accessible partner to the evening, the dinner, the event—be it a wedding, a birthday, or just relaxing at the end of a hard-working day. I want my wines to be a part of everyone’s life.”
Greg La Follette, Co-Founder & Head Winemaker, Marchelle Wines
Why Is Harmony Lane Special for Pinot Noir?
In the video, Greg explains that Harmony Lane’s character begins with its physical location. The vineyard sits on a gently east-facing slope in the Green Valley area of the Russian River Valley. Morning sunlight reaches the vines, while the site receives less direct solar exposure later in the day.
Harmony Lane is planted in Goldridge soil and sits near the top ridge of the Green Valley appellation—an area Greg describes as “pretty much ground zero of really great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Greg also sees a distinctive expression from the site, describing Harmony Lane as having the ability to produce wine that is “a little bit more wholesome, a little darker.
Greg La Follette on Making Pinot Noir
Greg’s relationship with Pinot Noir began through his academic study of how Burgundian winemaking techniques affect mouthfeel. Over time, Pinot Noir became central to his work as a winemaker.
His approach today is deliberately open-ended: rather than deciding in advance what a Pinot Noir should taste like, he allows the vineyard and vintage to guide the wine.
Wine as Part of the Table
Greg’s philosophy extends beyond the vineyard and cellar. As he explains in the video, he wants wine to be “an accessible partner” to dinner, celebrations and everyday life.
That idea remains central to Marchelle: wines with a strong sense of place that are ultimately made to be opened, shared and enjoyed at the table.
About Greg La Follette
Greg La Follette is the co-founder and head winemaker of Marchelle Wines. A longtime California winemaker known for his work with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Greg was the founding winemaker at Flowers Vineyard & Winery on the Sonoma Coast. At Marchelle, his focus includes site-driven Pinot Noir, heritage vineyards and wines made to preserve the character of their origins.
What Does Russian River Pinot Noir Taste Like?
Russian River Pinot Noir is often known for expressive red-fruit aromatics, freshness and a balance between fruit, earth, spice and acidity. Depending on vineyard location and vintage, the wines can range from bright and delicate to darker, more structured expressions, which is why there is no single “Russian River Pinot Noir” flavor profile.
Aroma
Russian River Pinot Noir can show aromas of red cherry, raspberry and cranberry alongside floral, herbal, earthy and spice notes. Cooler vineyard sites can emphasize freshness and aromatic lift, while warmer locations may develop riper fruit characteristics.
Palate
On the palate, Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley can combine bright fruit with natural acidity, fine tannins and a silky or supple texture. Vineyard site, clone, vintage and winemaking all influence where an individual wine falls on the spectrum from delicate and energetic to richer and more structured.
Finish
The most compelling examples balance fruit with acidity and structure, allowing flavors and savory characteristics to linger rather than ending with sweetness or excessive weight. That balance also helps make Pinot Noir particularly versatile at the table.
Why Can Russian River Pinot Noir Taste So Different?
The Russian River Valley covers a diverse landscape, and Pinot Noir responds sensitively to relatively small changes in growing conditions. Fog exposure, elevation, slope, soil, clone, farming and proximity to the Pacific Ocean can all influence how the grapes develop.
A Pinot Noir grown in the cooler western reaches of the appellation may show a different balance of fruit, acidity and structure than one grown farther inland. Vintage conditions and winemaking decisions add another layer of variation.
That diversity is part of what makes exploring Russian River Pinot Noir so interesting: the grape provides a lens through which individual vineyard sites can reveal themselves.
Is Russian River Pinot Noir light or full-bodied?
Russian River Pinot Noir is generally considered light- to medium-bodied, although style varies considerably by vineyard, vintage and winemaking. Cooler sites can produce particularly fresh, aromatic wines, while warmer sites and different winemaking approaches can result in broader, richer expressions.
CULINARY HARMONY
What Food Pairs with Pinot Noir?
Pinot Noir is particularly versatile at the table because its combination of fruit, acidity, moderate tannin and savory character can complement food without overpowering it. It works especially well with mushrooms, duck, salmon, roast chicken, pork, earthy vegetables and dishes built around herbs and umami.
Mushrooms
The earthy and savory qualities of mushrooms can echo similar characteristics in Pinot Noir, while the wine’s acidity provides contrast to richer preparations such as mushroom risotto or roasted mushrooms.
Duck
Duck is a classic Pinot Noir pairing. The wine’s acidity can balance the richness of the meat while red-fruit and savory characteristics complement roasted or seared duck.
Salmon
Pinot Noir has enough structure for richer fish such as salmon without the tannin of a heavier red wine. Grilled, roasted or herb-crusted salmon can work particularly well.
Roast Chicken
The moderate body and acidity of Pinot Noir make it a natural partner for roast chicken, particularly when prepared with herbs, mushrooms or roasted root vegetables.
Pork
Pork tenderloin, roasted pork and dishes incorporating fruit or savory herbs can pair beautifully with Pinot Noir because neither the food nor the wine needs to dominate the other.
Earthy Vegetables
Roasted beets, squash, lentils and root vegetables can highlight Pinot Noir’s combination of fruit, earth and spice.
Why Is Pinot Noir So Food-Friendly?
Pinot Noir occupies a useful middle ground at the table. It generally has more acidity and less tannin than many fuller-bodied red wines, allowing it to work with foods ranging from richer fish and poultry to pork, mushrooms and vegetables.
The best pairing ultimately depends on the individual wine. A brighter, more delicate Pinot Noir may favor lighter preparations, while a darker or more structured expression can stand alongside richer dishes.
At Marchelle, food is part of how we think about wine. Greg La Follette describes wine as an “accessible partner” to dinner, celebrations and everyday life—a philosophy that shapes the balance and versatility we seek in our Pinot Noir.
VISIT MARCHELLE
Taste our Pinot Noir in Healdsburg
Experience Marchelle’s Pinot Noir in downtown Healdsburg, just minutes from the vineyards of the Russian River Valley.
Our tasting room offers an opportunity to explore our approach to Pinot Noir alongside Chardonnay, old-vine varieties and other small-production wines crafted by Greg La Follette and the Marchelle winemaking team.
From our Harmony Lane Estate Pinot Noir to wines sourced from distinctive vineyard sites throughout Northern California, each tasting is an opportunity to explore how vineyard, vintage and winemaking shape what ultimately reaches the glass.
- Thursday & Sunday, 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM and Friday and Saturday until 6:30 PM
- Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are preferred
Russian River Pinot Noir FAQ
Where can I taste Russian River Pinot Noir in Healdsburg?
Marchelle Wines Tasting Room, 34 North Street, Healdsburg CA 95448
What makes Russian River Valley Pinot Noir so unique?
The Russian River Valley benefits from a unique maritime climate, where cool fog rolls in from the Pacific Ocean evening through morning, dramatically dropping temperatures. This slows grape ripening, allowing Pinot Noir grapes to develop intense flavor complexity, vibrant acidity, and elegant structural balance.
What are the typical flavor notes of a Marchelle Pinot Noir?
Marchelle Pinot Noir is made to reflect the character of each vineyard rather than a predetermined house style. Depending on the site and vintage, you may find red and dark cherry, wild berries, floral notes, earth and subtle spice, supported by fresh acidity and fine tannins. Our goal is to let the vineyard speak through the wine.
How long should I cellar my Russian River Pinot Noir?
Cellaring potential depends on the vineyard, vintage and style of the wine. Marchelle Pinot Noirs are crafted to be expressive when young while developing additional complexity with bottle age. Our more structured, vineyard-designated wines can continue to evolve for several years when stored properly, but there is no single aging window that applies to every Pinot Noir we produce. However Greg’s wines typically have long aging potential.
Why does Pinot Noir grow well in the Russian River Valley?
Pinot Noir is particularly responsive to cool growing conditions. Pacific fog and marine air moderate temperatures in much of the Russian River Valley, helping extend the growing season and allowing grapes to ripen gradually while preserving acidity. Vineyard site and soil also play important roles.
What is Green Valley and why is it important for Pinot Noir?
Green Valley is a particularly cool area within the Russian River Valley in western Sonoma County. Strong Pacific influence, frequent fog and Goldridge soils make it particularly well suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Marchelle’s Harmony Lane Estate Vineyard is located in the Green Valley area.
What are Goldridge soils?
Goldridge is a fine, sandy loam found extensively in parts of western Sonoma County, particularly Green Valley. Its drainage and relatively low vigor can be well suited to Pinot Noir, helping moderate vine growth and contributing to the distinctive character of individual vineyard sites.
What food pairs well with Russian River Pinot Noir?
Pinot Noir’s combination of acidity, moderate tannin and savory character makes it particularly versatile with food. Mushrooms, duck, salmon, roast chicken, pork and earthy vegetables are classic partners. The ideal pairing depends on the weight and character of the individual wine.
Who makes Marchelle Pinot Noir?
Marchelle Wines is led by co-founder and head winemaker Greg La Follette, a longtime California winemaker known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Greg was the founding winemaker at Flowers Vineyard & Winery and today applies his site-driven approach to Marchelle’s wines, including Pinot Noir from Harmony Lane Estate Vineyard.
What is the ideal serving temperature for these wines?
Discover Marchelle Pinot Noir
Explore small-production Pinot Noir shaped by distinctive vineyard sites, thoughtful farming and Greg La Follette’s site-driven approach to winemaking.