California Winemakers & A Passion for Pinot

California has some of the best winemakers in the world from all types of backgrounds, including those purely driven by a hungry desire to create fantastic wine.  For example, Burt Williams, a Russian River Valley winemaker known for his Pinot Noir.  Williams first started making wine in his garage by buying grapes from neighbors.  Motivated by his passion for wine and want to share that passion with all he continued to work with new flavor combination ideas.  In 1987 his dedication paid off when his 1985 Williams Selyem Rochioli Vineyard Pinot Noir won top honors in the California State Fair.  Since his start, Williams is known for creating some of the Russian River Valley’s best wine.

Williams’s life revolves around perfectly crafted wine that is full of devotion and passion.  He has truly been a great influence in the wine industry and “Though he’s retiring, Mr. Williams looks likely to keep influencing California wine through his protégés” as Drew Kelly stated in Pinot’s Patron Saint in the Wall Street Journal.  His passion for Pinot Noir has been contagious when it comes to other winemakers and they clearly show it.

Mira Winery shares this passion for wine, and a desire to make impeccable combinations of flavors flow together smoothly.  Our Pinot Noir, created by Mira’s 100 point winemaker Gustavo Gonzalez, has a delightful balance of flavors that start with seductive, bewildering, and racy aromas that then lead into the blueberry, cranberry and moral mushroom flavors.  Aged in 100% French oak barrels for 12 months, the wines flavors develop a sexy and beguiling perfume that is hard to resist.

We at Mira are constantly inspired by our surroundings, and we appreciate folks like Burt Williams who has helped lead the way! Read more about Williams, his passion for Pinot and his journey as a California winemaker here.