Wrath
This Monterey County winemaker is located in the town of Soledad and has a tasting room in Carmel. I tried the award winning 2009 Wrath McIntyre Vineyard Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands. It goes for $49 and is rich with hints of boysenberry yet a bit savory, too. Wrath makes great wines and several are more affordable than this Pinot Noir including their Rose of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, several killer Syrahs and a Monterey Sauvignon Blanc.

Fort Ross
Fort Ross, located on the northern coast of Sonoma County, makes a variety of good Pinots at a decent price point. My favorite is Symposium. I actually discovered it at Piccino in San Francisco's Dogpatch and was happy to be reminded of it at Pinot Days. While the 2009 Pinot Noir Fort Ross Symposium from the Sonoma Coast is still a stand out at $32, their other Pinots, as well as a low oak Chardonnay, were very, very, very good.

Masut
Brothers Jake and Ben Fetzer have inherited the family gene for winemaking. One sip of the Masut 2010 Estate Vineyard ($40) Pinot and there is no doubt. It is ruby red in color and lush with cherry overtones and spices. This Pinot is a complex wine full of taste. These guys are farming land that borders the Fetzer Home Ranch they grew up on between Willits and Ukiah. Says Ben Fetzer of their rural vineyards, "Most people think they are lost when they get here." Sometimes one has to get lost to really make a discovery.

Abiouness
Last but not least is Abiouness named after the owner and winemaker, Nicole Abiouness who says the name is a compliment to her Lebanese father. The 2008 Stanly Ranch Pinot from Carneros ($38) is a very small production, only 218 cases were made. This is typical California Pinot, fruit forward and smooth with a long, lush finish. Others, too, must think highly of Abiouness, her wines have been found at such lofty restaurants as The French Laundry.

Pinot DaysPinot Days

Top 5 Local Wines that Made the Cut at Pinot Days