Twomey Pinot Noir

Twomey Pinot Noir is a 100% Pinot Noir from coastal California, bottled at 14.2% ABV in a 750ml format. The 2023 Russian River Valley vintage earned 93 points from James Suckling, continuing a track record of critical recognition for this small-production label from the family behind Silver Oak.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.2%  |  Origin: Russian River Valley & Anderson Valley, California  |  Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir  |  Producer: Twomey Cellars

Production & Heritage

Twomey Cellars operates as the sister winery to Silver Oak Wine Cellars, both owned by the Duncan family. While Silver Oak built its reputation on Cabernet Sauvignon, Twomey was established to explore cool-climate varietals, with Pinot Noir sourced from Russian River Valley in Sonoma County and Anderson Valley in Mendocino County. Under the direction of winemaker Justin Hirigoyen, total production across all Twomey wines sits at roughly 12,000 cases, keeping allocations limited. Beyond the regional AVA bottlings, Twomey also produces single-vineyard designate Pinot Noirs from sites such as Hirsch Vineyard and Garys' Vineyard, though the regional blend remains the core expression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe wild strawberry and dark cherry greet the nose first, followed by layers of rose petal, dried potpourri, and warm spice. With time in the glass, cardamom, nutmeg, and a subtle earthy quality emerge.

Taste: The entry is fruit-forward, driven by ripe raspberry and red cherry. Mid-palate, the wine shifts toward forest floor, mocha, and a chalky minerality that adds structure without weight. Silky tannins frame the fruit throughout, supported by bright, well-integrated acidity.

Finish: Long and dry, with lingering red fruit and a faint charred wood character. The acidity carries the finish and keeps the wine feeling precise rather than heavy.

How to Drink Twomey Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir is built to drink well at release, best served slightly below room temperature, around 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Neat in a Burgundy glass allows the aromatic complexity to develop fully. For cocktail-adjacent wine drinks: try it in a Pinot Noir Sangria with fresh berries and a splash of brandy, where the cherry and strawberry notes shine. It also works in a red wine spritzer with sparkling water and a citrus twist for a lighter warm-weather pour. A Kalimotxo variation, blending the wine with cola over ice, plays off the mocha and spice notes in an unexpected way.

Best For

• Gifting a Silver Oak fan who wants to explore the Duncan family's Pinot Noir program
• A Saturday dinner party featuring roasted duck or mushroom risotto
• Building a cool-climate California Pinot Noir collection alongside Sonoma Coast bottlings
• Introducing a Cabernet drinker to the elegance of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Twomey Pinot Noir taste like? Twomey Pinot Noir is driven by ripe cherry, wild strawberry, and raspberry, layered with forest floor, mocha, and warm baking spices. Silky tannins and bright acidity give the wine structure and a long, dry finish.

How does Twomey Pinot Noir compare to Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon? Twomey and Silver Oak are sister wineries under the same Duncan family ownership, sharing a philosophy of wines that drink well upon release but have the balance to age. The key difference is varietal and weight: Twomey's Pinot Noir is lighter-bodied and acidity-driven from cool-climate Sonoma and Mendocino sources, while Silver Oak's Cabernet Sauvignon is a fuller, more tannic Napa and Alexander Valley expression.

Is Twomey Pinot Noir good for sipping neat? Yes, it is designed to be enjoyed on its own shortly after release, with enough aromatic complexity and balanced acidity to reward careful attention in a proper glass without needing food alongside.

Where is Twomey Pinot Noir made? Twomey Cellars sources its Pinot Noir fruit from cool-climate coastal California appellations, primarily Russian River Valley in Sonoma County and Anderson Valley in Mendocino County. The winery also works with vineyards in the Sonoma Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands, and Santa Maria Valley AVAs for its single-vineyard bottlings.

What foods pair well with Twomey Pinot Noir? Roasted duck breast, where the cherry fruit mirrors the richness of the meat. Wild mushroom risotto, which echoes the wine's forest floor character. Grilled salmon with an herb crust, balanced by the wine's bright acidity. Aged Gruyere, whose nuttiness complements the mocha and spice notes. Roasted beet salad with goat cheese, playing off the wine's earthy undertones.

What sizes does Twomey Pinot Noir come in? The standard bottling is available in 750ml.

Is Twomey Pinot Noir worth the price? Twomey positions as a premium California Pinot Noir, sitting in the range where Russian River Valley bottlings from established producers typically land. With roughly 12,000 total cases produced across all Twomey wines, the limited production and consistent critical scores, including 93 points from James Suckling for recent vintages, support its positioning in this tier.

Why Twomey Pinot Noir?

The Duncan family's decision to build a dedicated Pinot Noir program alongside Silver Oak was not about extending a brand but about pursuing a different grape in the regions best suited to grow it. Russian River Valley and Anderson Valley are among California's most respected Pinot Noir appellations, and Twomey's access to top vineyard sites in both, along with single-vineyard designates from Hirsch and Garys' Vineyard, places the winery in serious company. Back-to-back 93-point scores from James Suckling for the 2022 and 2023 vintages confirm consistency rather than a single standout year. At roughly 12,000 cases across the entire lineup, this is a wine that rewards those who seek it out.