We recently released the 2023 Pinot Noir and sat down with Winemaker Molly Bohlman to learn more about her admiration for Pinot Noir. This wine has a beautiful balance of fruit and earth notes, along with ample spice and acidity from Jespersen Ranch’s coastal influence. Read more of Molly’s thoughts below.
What was your first
experience with Pinot noir?
“When I moved to California in 1996, I lived in Sonoma County and certainly tasted some Pinot Noirs then. I was also working at a vineyard that grew Pinot Noir but for some reason, at that time and place, it didn’t speak to me. It wasn’t until several years later that I fell in love with Pinot.”
What is your favorite thing about making Pinot noir?
“I love that it can be made into so many different wines. At Niner, we make sparkling wines, rosé, and still wines from Pinot Noir grapes. I truly believe there is a Pinot Noir for every palate!”
What makes Pinot noir different from other wines?
“I think Pinot Noir is the varietal that most expresses where it is grown. Even in the Burgundy region of France, where it originated, winemaking is all about specific plots of land (sometimes very tiny) and how they result in unique wines.”
How has your approach to making Pinot noir changed
over the years?
“I’ve evolved certain techniques. For example, I used to destem all the fruit which leads to a richer, fruitier wine and now incorporate more stems into the fermentations which creates a more elegant, complex and aromatic wine.”
Why is the Edna Valley such a great place for growing
Pinot noir?
“Pinot Noir loves a cool climate. Edna Valley is one of the coolest growing regions in California due to the coastal influence – mild temperatures, wind and fog keep the area at an average of 60°F during the growing season. Because of the cool climate, the growing season is also very long which helps develop complex flavors and aromatics.”
What attracted you to making Pinot noir?
“Once I had that ‘a-ha!’ moment, I had to make Pinot Noir. I had to figure out how to make the ethereal beauty that is Pinot.”
What makes Pinot noir different from other varieties of grapes?
“There is a very small area of the world where Pinot Noir grows well. It is notoriously difficult to grow even in the most suitable areas – it is very susceptible to weather extremes, mildew, disease, pests, you name it. Our vineyard manager says every bottle of Pinot Noir should cost at least $100 because of all the effort that goes into growing it!”
Is Pinot noir more challenging to make than other varieties?
“It’s more unforgiving so you have to be careful with your decision-making. Less is more when it comes to winemaking. As long as I make the right decisions in the vineyard and during fermentation, it’s not overly difficult.”
What were some things you did in the vineyard and in the cellar to make the 2023 Pinot Noir
Edna Valley?
“2023 was a vintage where the wine ‘made itself’ meaning we didn’t have to do as much work in the vineyard (crop load was balanced, no weather surprises) and there were no issues with fermentation. Honestly, the hardest part about 2023 was waiting patiently for the grapes to ripen. Deciding when to pick is crucial – there is no going back once that decision is made!”
Meet Molly!
After an introduction to the world of wine while studying abroad in the South of France, Molly had the bug. She began her education at the University of Minnesota and finished it at Cal Poly with a B.S. in Fruit Science and a Minor in Wine & Viticulture. In the 20 years since she has methodically worked across several functions within the industry seeking to understand sales, vineyard science, and winemaking-by-doing. In 2014 Molly came to Niner after working at Paul Hobbs Wines where she was winemaker for the Crossbarn brand. In her spare time Molly enjoys spending time outside, crafting, and enjoying food and wine with family and friends. She lives in San Luis Obispo with her husband Daniel and son Sawyer.
Shop the 2023 Pinot Noir here
After being hand-harvested, fermented in stainless steel tanks, and aged in French oak barrels, this classic Pinot Noir with cranberry and candied orange notes, hints of rose petals, earth and wet clay is sure to be one for the collectors.
