Hess Shirtail Ranches Pinot Noir
2018, Central Coast, California
This wine presents cherry aromas framed by floral notes that lead to a layered, expressive palate. It offers volume and a luscious mouthfeel that is marked by delicious, juicy black fruits and beautifully soft tannins. The mouth-filling taste is like velvet, demonstrating what gentle handling can do for this variety.
$19.99 / BOTTLE
$8.00 / GLASS
ALISON RODRIGUEZ
Hess Collection
Alison Rodriguez, a winemaking graduate from the Fachhochschule Geisenheim, has honed her winemaking skills in hillside vineyards of a wide variety: from the slopes of the Rheingau and Nahe valleys, to the alpine foothills of the Alto Adige, to every hillside AVA in Napa Valley.
Alison’s work in these diverse growing regions has given her perspective on what nuances the unique combinations of vineyard site, soil, slope and sun contribute to the personality of each wine. In 2016 she joined the team at The Hess Collection as Winemaker, and Alison is currently responsible for the creation of the Napa Valley based Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon, the award-winning Hess Select Monterey Chardonnay, the restaurant-exclusive portfolio of Shirtail Ranches wines, and she contributes her skills to the Hess Collection Small Block Series and The Lion Cabernet Sauvignon, as well.
She enjoys travelling for work and pleasure, having visited over 35 winegrowing regions throughout the world. A few new regions on her wish list are the Savoie, Priorat and the sparkling wineries of southern England. In tandem with her winemaking, Alison has also earned the WSET Advanced Certificate.
She is an enthusiastic gardener and has planted a scent garden at her home filled with verbenas, lavender, roses, geraniums, citrus and herbs of all varieties. She lives in Napa with her Swiss-Spanish husband and young daughter.
