Here that?

No, it’s not yesterday’s crazy wind. It’s the sound of Meiomi Pinot Noir taking the wine world by storm. There is honestly perhaps no wine that has enjoyed such a meteoric climb to print on so many wine lists at once. The stuff’s affordable, delicious, and tastes like a mini vacation to the California coast.

So who makes it?

His name is Joseph Wagner and you might know some of his other hits like Caymus, Conundrum, Mer Soleil, and Belle Glos. The name “Meiomi” (pronounced May-oh-mee) translates to the word “coast” in the language of the native Wappo tribe, and best symbolizes the multi-coastal origins of this pinot. With vineyards located along California’s most striking stretches of coastline, Wagner makes sure his grapes win the battle with the elements. Beating sunshine, cool fog, colder nights … he nurtures the vines through all of this so grapes enjoy a long hang time on the vine, eventually leading to wines with intensity.

So where’s it come from?

While most traditional winemakers would shy away from creating a ‘tri-appellation blend,’ Wagner wanted to showcase the best expression of three coastal regions and make a super-balanced, consistent, and extremely characterful style of wine. He says, “It’s the best way to create a layered, complex and interesting Pinot Noir that has a broad appeal and pairs well with a lot of different cuisines.  Santa Barbara County offers spice-filled aromas, Sonoma County brings bright berry flavors and minerality, Monterey County rounds out the wine with rich textures and structure.”  The result is a wine that is dark, deep garnet in color, with sumptuous aromas and flavors of ripe berries, vanilla, and spicy oak. Supple tannins, a silky texture, and balanced acidity all play a part as well.

Wagner is a fifth-generation winemaker, and although he enjoys working alongside a family with a Napa Valley winemaking legacy that traces back to the late 1800s, he says, “we are willing to take risks and break traditional conventions,” so to that end, he continues to seek out new locations for his wines while refining and improving each vintage. Obviously he’s doing just that, as Meiomi Pinot Noir is now one of the best-selling Pinot Noirs in the country, and a favorite at his family’s dinner table.

What’s it go with?

“Tomato-based pasta dishes, thin-crust pizza, grilled lamb, and turkey!” Here are some places you can find Meiomi Pinot Noir around the Valley. Give it a try.

The Wigwam
300 E. Wigwam Blvd.
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
623-935-3811
www.wigwamresort.com

Garage Wine & Tap
1534 East Bethany Home Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85014
602-265-4125
www.garagewineandtap.com

Hermosa Inn
5532 N. Palo Cristi Rd.
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
602-955-8614
www.hermosainn.com

El Chorro Lodge
5550 E. Lincoln Dr.
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
480-948-5170
www.elchorro.com

Sol Mexican Cocina
15323 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-245-6708
www.solcocina.com

Rhythm & Wine
7605 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-478-6999
www.rhtymandwine.com

Terroir Wine Pub
7001 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
480-922-3470
www.terroirwinepub.com

Mia Francesca’s
20825 N. Pima Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-535-5800
www.miafrancesca.com

Del Frisco’s Grille
2425 E. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-466-2890
http://delfriscosgrille.com/location/phoenix/

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
5350 E. Marriott Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85054
480-293-5000
www.jwdesertridgeresort.com

Capital Grille
2502 E. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-952-8900
www.thecapitalgrille.com

Ritz-Carlton
2401 E. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-468-0700
www.ritzcarlton.com