LIOCO Mendocino County Pinot Noir 2024

LIOCO Mendocino County Pinot Noir 2024 captures a broad view of one of California's most exciting cool-climate wine regions. Rather than relying on a single vineyard, LIOCO selects fruit from premier sites across Mendocino County, stretching from inland Potter Valley to the far coast at Comptche, with additional fruit from Anderson Valley and Cole Ranch. The vineyards emphasize older vines, dry farming and sustainable viticulture, while proximity to the Pacific Ocean brings freshness and energy to the finished wine.

The 2024 shows boysenberry, violet and dried sage aromatically, followed by sour plum, red licorice and nutmeg. Fruit was hand-harvested and fermented in open-top tanks with 15% whole clusters before 10 months of aging in a combination of neutral oak and stainless-steel barrels. The result is a vibrant, savory expression of California Pinot Noir that favors freshness and regional character over excessive ripeness or oak.

Wine Facts

• Producer: LIOCO
• Vintage: 2024
• Region: Mendocino County, California
• Variety: Pinot Noir
• Wine Type: Red Wine
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Style: Fresh, aromatic, savory, cool-climate
• Aromas: Boysenberry, violet, dried sage
• Flavors: Sour plum, red licorice, nutmeg
• Aging: 10 months neutral oak and stainless-steel barrels

Why We Like It

This is precisely the kind of California Pinot Noir we like finding: expressive and unmistakably Californian without relying on heavy extraction or new oak. LIOCO uses vineyards from across Mendocino to create a wine that genuinely communicates the region - and does so at a remarkably accessible price.

Food Pairing

Roast chicken, duck, mushroom risotto, pork tenderloin, grilled salmon and charcuterie. LIOCO specifically recommends chicken yakitori, Peking duck and porcini risotto.

Drinking Window
Drink now through approximately 2030.