2015 Gracianna Westside Reserve Pinot Noir – Spicy and Provocative with Gratitude
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Winery
The name Gracianna is for Trini Amador III’s (owner) great grandmother (Gracianna) and they wanted to incorporate all they had to be grateful for and show their gratitude. Even on the back of the bottle, it reads “Gracianna is for those who have something to be grateful for”. The winery is set next to the Russian River on the well know “Miracle Mile” home of some of the best Pinots just outside of Healdsburg. The “Miracle Mile” is the confluence of a tectonic age, alluvial soils left by a wandering river, water flowing off the Sonoma Mountain range which carried with it eroded volcanic material–all of these factors created soil with large amounts of clay in the central portion of the Russian River Valley appellation.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Gracianna produces several thousand cases per year of which 70% is for various Pinot’s. The balance of production is for Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc and Sparkling Brut Rosé – Blush Cuvée. All their Pinot’s are produced in the Burgundian style with French barrels. They use clones 667 and 777 for their Pinot’s in the vineyard and then blend the two. The wine making is a “family affair” with all giving “gratitude” for the fruit of the vineyard.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The 2015 Gracianna Westside Reserve Pinot Noir is one of their outstanding wines. First on the eyes a radiant purple blush beckoning one to enjoy this elixir. Immediately, even upon just inhaling the aromas, I knew it was going to be a provocative Pinot Noir. With the first sip, a fruit forward taste of both ripe cherries and freshly picked strawberries, with just the appropriate amount of pepper, minerality and leather lingering in the background. The wine peeled backed invigorating layers upon each sip. One of the more spicier Pinot Noir and very enjoyable. A graceful finish and mellow tannins.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The wine came in at 14.8% alcohol. The current vintage is 2023 and believe the price to be $76/bottle. The 2023 Westside Reserve Pinot Noir won the prestigious Best of Show at the 2024 Sonoma County Harvest Fair.
I am thankful that this wine is now on my annual list of Best Wines Tasted for 2025!
Sláinte,
Michael
April 15, 2025 at 1:31 pm
Good morning Michael. I love Russian River PN. I am putting Gracianna on my list to visit or call to order a bottle. Ps: will look out for rip cherries 🤣