This wine has some roots in Macon.  Derek Trucks, guitarist for The Allman Brothers Band (his uncle, Butch Trucks, was a founding member of the band) from 1999 until the band’s official retirement in 2014, and his wife, Susan Tedeschi, are part of the inspiration (and original investors) for the team behind The Withers.  The founders, Andrew and Kathleen Tow, are equestrians and the name “The Withers” derives from measuring the height of a horse – the withers being the highest point.  This represents the team’s drive to produce elegant, nuanced, balanced wines from cool climates in California.  Specifically, the Sonoma Coast, Mendocino, and Sierra Foothills.  Also, the grey horse on the label is Mr. Burgess – a horse and member of the Tow family.  According to the Tows, Mr. Burgess is “sensitive and beautiful” and an inspiration for winemaking.  The winemaker is David Low, and the winery focuses on Pinot Noir and Rhône varietals (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre).

Spotted at Pinebrook Bottle Shop for $47, you can now enjoy this Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley in Mendocino.  The wine uses the Pommard clonal of the grape and is made in inspiration of the Burgundian style, focusing on balance.  The wineshop also sells other offerings from the winery, including other varietals.  Winemaker Notes: This superb Pinot reveals its Pommard clonal heritage through a combination of focused dark bing cherry notes and fine grained tannins.  Medium bodied and built to age while slowly revealing additional high toned aromas of underbrush, herbs, chocolate and anise flavors with exposure to air, it is reminiscent of its Burgundian Pommard inspirations.