Arista Winery, a californian star in Sonoma
Surrounded by the hilly, rugged and postcard-worthy landscape of the Russian River Valley in California, Arista Winery was founded in Healdsburg in 2002. The McWilliams family reign over a heritage-filled vineyard and devote a great deal of time and energy to their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. The family's dedication enables them to authentically showcase the characteristics of their terroir. The McWilliams’ sons, Ben and Mark, took over the running of the estate in 2012.
An authentic vineyard
The 36-acre estate comprises 9 acres of Pinot Noir vines and 1 acre of Chardonnay vines. Committed to sustainable viticultural practices and favoring a minimal intervention approach, the teams believe in working alongside nature in order to capture the most authentic expression of the terroirs. The estate works closely with meticulously-selected and trusted partner winegrowers who manage their vineyards with the same exacting standards and ethos.
The teams of Arista Winery work tirelessly towards preserving the expression of the vines. The grape varieties, the soil, the climate and the masterful expertise of the winemaking teams all contribute to the rich, flavorsome and complex aromas of these fine Californian wines.
Years of invaluable experience
The vineyards are worked by hand and a tremendous amount of research goes into choosing the best possible technologies to craft the finest wines. The cellar is home to state-of-the-art tools that result in the smooth-running of the winemaking process. Aged in French oak barrels, the wines are un-fined and un-filtered. Thus, the wines showcase their nuances and aromatic profile.
Burgundian grapes, Californian know-how
Arista Winery Pinot Noirs
The Pinot Noir wines from Arista showcase a pleasant ruby-red color in the glass. These wines exude aromas of juicy red fruit on the nose and express flavours of red cherries, raspberries, wild strawberries but also notes of pomegranate and cranberries. The Pinot Noir wines of the estate have received raving reviews over the years. Indeed, Arista Winery's Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2018 wine was given a 95-point score by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and the 2018 UV Lucky Well Vineyard Pinot Noir was also bestowed an impressive 98-point score by the renowned wine publication.
Arista Winery Chardonnays
Arista's Russian River Valley Chardonnay wines offer a plethora of ambrosial aromas including peach, lemon zest and bioche from the aging in new oak. Showcasing a pale lemon color, the warm California climate also lends a beautifully high acidity to the wines. The mouth-watering finish will stay long on the palate and will enable you to relish a unique tasting experience. The 2018 Russian River Valley Chardonnay wine was rewarded with a 94-point rating by the Wine Advocate and the 2018 Ritchie Vineyard wine obtained a 96-point score by the illustrious magazine, the Wine Spectator.
Two iconic wine-making regions
The Russian River Valley AVA is a wine-producing area in Sonoma County, California. The area benefits from the influence of the Pacific Ocean which cools the vineyards. These lusciously-green lands are the craddle of utterly fine cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. The Arista Chardonnay wines that stem from this appellation comprise a blend of three different vineyards: El Diablo Vineyard, Banfield Vineyard and the legendary Ritchie Vineyard, farmed by the eponymous winemaker Kent Ritchie.
The Anderson Valley, an acclaimed AVA in California's Mendecino County, is located in the northern part of the winegrowing area. The unique climatic conditions lead to the production of pure and well-balanced Californian reds and whites. The estate's Ferrington Vineyard Pinot Noir wine stems from this appellation.
Food and wine pairing
Pair Arista's Pinot Noir wines with a leg of lamb, a tomato or eggplant tian or roast duck and enjoy a memorable food and wine pairing experience. The fresh and fruity expression of the Chardonnay wines will complement your favorite grilled fish dish, served with a side of roasted vegetables. Treat yourself and your loved ones to a unique tasting experience and discover the expression of these site-driven and high-quality bottlings.
