Cakebread Two Creeks Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

Cakebread Two Creeks Anderson Valley Pinot Noir is a 750ml, medium-bodied Pinot Noir from Mendocino County's Anderson Valley, bottled at approximately 14% ABV. Sourced from two distinct estate vineyards — former apple orchards along Anderson Creek — the wine earned a Double Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (2011 vintage) and a Chairman's Award at Dan Berger's International Wine Competition (2012 vintage).

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14%  |  Origin: Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California  |  Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir  |  Producer: Cakebread Cellars

Production & Heritage

Cakebread Cellars produces this bottling from two estate sites collectively known as Two Creek Vineyards. The Annahala vineyard, closer to the Pacific and regularly blanketed in coastal fog, contributes the majority of the blend (roughly 69–78%), delivering elegance and bright acidity. Apple Barn sits on gravel-rich soils in a slightly warmer pocket, adding structure and riper fruit character at 22–31% of the blend. Fermentation includes gentle punch-downs and 20% stem retention — a technique that introduces spicy, herbaceous complexity without overpowering the fruit. The wine ages for 10 months in French oak barrels, of which 33–35% are new, allowing subtle toast and vanilla to integrate without masking varietal expression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The glass opens with fragrant sweet black cherry and red raspberry, followed by rose petal and a thread of anise. As it breathes, subtle smoke and a faint menthol note emerge, hinting at the stem inclusion during fermentation.

Taste: The entry is juicy and direct, led by strawberry and red cherry. The mid-palate deepens with ripe black cherry and plum, layered with clove and baking spice. Fine, supple tannins support the fruit without interrupting its flow, and a streak of minerality keeps the wine grounded.

Finish: Medium in length with a bright, strawberry-inflected close and soft tannins that linger gently. Sandalwood and a whisper of char round out the final impression.

How to Drink Two Creeks Pinot Noir

This wine is best served slightly below room temperature, around 58–62°F, to highlight its aromatic complexity. A Burgundy-style glass with a wide bowl lets the rose petal and cherry notes bloom. For cocktail-adjacent wine-based drinks, the Two Creeks works well in a Pinot Noir Sangria with fresh berries and a splash of brandy, where its bright fruit holds its own among the additions. It also shines in a Red Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and a twist of orange, keeping things refreshing without losing body. For a wintertime option, try it in a gentle Mulled Wine with cinnamon and star anise — its existing baking-spice character amplifies naturally.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners featuring roasted chicken, duck, or salmon
• Gifting a wine lover who appreciates cooler-climate Pinot Noir
• Exploring Anderson Valley as a Pinot Noir region beyond the usual Sonoma or Willamette Valley picks
• Hosting a comparative tasting of California coastal Pinot Noir

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Two Creeks Pinot Noir taste like? It is a medium-bodied Pinot Noir dominated by juicy strawberry, red cherry, and black cherry fruit, accented by clove, baking spice, and a mineral undertone. The finish carries bright strawberry and soft tannins with a hint of sandalwood.

How does Two Creeks compare to Handley Cellars Anderson Valley Pinot Noir? Both are estate-grown Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs, but Two Creeks draws from two distinct vineyards with partial stem inclusion, lending it a spicier, more layered profile. Handley Cellars tends toward a more fruit-forward, straightforward style at a similar price point.

Is Two Creeks good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its balanced acidity, soft tannins, and layered aromatics make it an engaging wine to drink neat, especially when served slightly cool at around 60°F.

Where is Two Creeks Pinot Noir made? It is produced by Cakebread Cellars from estate fruit grown in Anderson Valley, a narrow, fog-cooled appellation in Mendocino County, California. The two source vineyards, Annahala and Apple Barn, sit along Anderson Creek on land that was formerly planted to apple orchards.

What foods pair well with Two Creeks Pinot Noir? Roasted duck breast complements the cherry and spice notes. Grilled salmon mirrors the wine's medium weight without overwhelming it. Wild mushroom risotto echoes its earthy undertones. Aged Gruyère highlights the subtle oak influence. Herb-crusted pork tenderloin pairs naturally with the baking-spice character from stem retention.

What sizes does Two Creeks come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Two Creeks worth the price? Two Creeks positions as a mid-premium Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, offering estate-vineyard sourcing and a distinctive winemaking approach — particularly the stem-retention technique — that is typically associated with more expensive bottlings from the region.

Why Two Creeks?

What separates this wine from the broader field of California Pinot Noir is the deliberate interplay between its two vineyard sources. The fog-drenched Annahala site delivers the perfume and acidity, while the warmer, gravel-bedded Apple Barn contributes density and ripe fruit — a built-in tension that gives the blend more dimension than single-site wines at the same price. The 20% stem retention is a winemaking choice borrowed from traditional Burgundian practice, and it adds a savory, spicy thread that lifts the wine beyond simple fruit-forward territory. Multiple award-winning vintages, including a Double Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, confirm that the approach consistently delivers results.