We love Hirsch’s vineyards (and their wines)! It’s definitely at the top of our list when it comes to California producers. David Hirsch founded Hirsch Vineyards in 1980 with the goal of crafting site-specific wines that truly reflect their origin. The family’s vineyards are located within both the Sonoma Coast and Fort Ross-Seaview AVAs. Tasting these wines is like getting an education in both vintage and terroir — each bottle expresses the unique character of its place.

Today, the winery is run by David’s daughter, Jasmine Hirsch. She works closely with her team, including associate winemaker Melissa Beck, to carry on the family’s legacy.

We selected the Bohan Dillon as it’s their entry-level wine, making it the perfect introduction to what Hirsch is all about. The Pinot Noir fruit for this wine comes from three distinct Sonoma sites: the Hirsch and Hellenthal vineyards, which border each other, and the Heintz vineyard, located about 20 miles to the south. Three family-owned vineyards come together in this bottling—when Hirsch first made this wine, the inspiration was to pay homage to the great village wines of France—wines that are rich with stories, crafted with the same care as some of the finest wines, but at a more approachable price point.

The wine is young and bold, and if you plan to drink it right away, we recommend opening the bottle about an hour before serving to let it breathe and express its full character.