Cline Fog Swept Pinot Noir

Cline Fog Swept Pinot Noir is a Sonoma Coast AVA red wine made from 100% Pinot Noir, available in a standard 750ml bottle. Sourced from Cline Family Cellars' estate Catapult and Diamond Pile vineyards near Petaluma, California, this expression carries a 92-point CellarTracker community score and reflects the dramatic temperature swings of its fog-drenched coastal growing site.

Quick Facts: Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir  |  Origin: Sonoma Coast AVA, California  |  Clones: Dijon 115, 5 & 31  |  Producer: Cline Family Cellars

Production & Heritage

Cline Family Cellars purchased the Catapult and Diamond Pile vineyard sites in 1995 and planted them in 1997, specifically selecting Dijon clones 115, 5, and 31 for their suitability to the cool Sonoma Coast climate. The vineyards sit in an area where lingering morning fog on most summer days creates diurnal temperature swings of up to 27 degrees Fahrenheit, inducing a longer growing season that allows the fruit to develop rich flavors while retaining fresh acidity and classic earthiness. This interplay between coastal fog and afternoon warmth is the defining signature of the wine and the inspiration behind its name.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Oak spices and dark plum lead the nose, followed by clove and subtle floral hints of lilac. There is an underlying earthiness that nods to the wine's cool-climate origin.

Taste: The entry is bright with fresh black cherry, wild strawberry, and pomegranate. At mid-palate, flavors of raspberry and bittersweet chocolate emerge alongside hints of black tea and mushroom. The structure is fuller-bodied than many Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs, with firm tannins providing a grippy backbone.

Finish: Moderate to long, with lingering notes of cranberry, toasted oak, and vanilla. A thread of sour cherry acidity keeps the finish lively and balanced.

How to Drink Fog Swept Pinot Noir

Serve slightly below room temperature, around 55–60°F, to let the aromatic complexity open up without muting the acidity. This wine drinks well on its own or alongside food. A Pinot Noir Spritz — the wine over ice with a splash of sparkling water — works as a casual warm-weather pour because the firm tannins hold up to dilution. It also performs well in a Burgundy-style Coq au Vin as the cooking wine, where its dark fruit and earthiness deepen the braise. For a simple cocktail riff, try a Kalimotxo (equal parts red wine and cola over ice), where the wine's cherry brightness cuts through the sweetness.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners that call for a serious but approachable Pinot Noir
• Introducing someone to cool-climate California reds beyond the usual suspects
• Pairing with a holiday roast or Thanksgiving spread
• Building a Sonoma Coast wine collection at an accessible price tier

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fog Swept Pinot Noir taste like? It leads with bright cherry, pomegranate, and wild strawberry, then develops into darker notes of bittersweet chocolate, black tea, and mushroom. Firm tannins for a Pinot Noir give it a fuller-bodied, structured profile balanced by fresh acidity.

How does Fog Swept compare to Meiomi Pinot Noir? Meiomi is a multi-appellation California Pinot Noir blending fruit from Monterey, Sonoma, and Santa Barbara counties, resulting in a rounder, sweeter fruit profile. Fog Swept is exclusively Sonoma Coast AVA and tends toward leaner, more earthy and structured character shaped by its specific coastal fog influence.

Is Fog Swept good for sipping neat? Yes — its layered aromatics, firm tannins, and bright acidity make it engaging on its own, especially when served at cellar temperature around 55–60°F to highlight its complexity.

Where is Fog Swept Pinot Noir made? It is produced by Cline Family Cellars from estate-grown fruit on the Catapult and Diamond Pile vineyards near Petaluma, within the Sonoma Coast AVA of California.

What foods pair well with Fog Swept Pinot Noir? Roast duck or game birds complement its earthy depth. Grilled salmon matches its acidity and red-fruit brightness. Wild mushroom risotto echoes the wine's forest-floor undertones. Aged Gruyère or Comté highlight the toasted oak and vanilla notes. Herb-crusted pork tenderloin bridges its fruit and spice elements.

What sizes does Fog Swept come in? Cline Fog Swept Pinot Noir is commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Fog Swept worth the price? Fog Swept positions as a mid-range Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, offering estate-grown fruit from specific clone selections and a cool-climate profile that competes well against bottles at higher price points in the appellation.

Why Fog Swept?

What separates this wine from the crowded California Pinot Noir field is vineyard specificity — Dijon clones 115, 5, and 31 planted on two named estate sites in one of Sonoma Coast's foggiest corridors. That 27-degree diurnal swing is not a marketing detail; it directly produces the tension between ripe fruit and bracing acidity that defines the glass. A 92-point CellarTracker community score reflects consistent drinker satisfaction, and Cline's nearly three decades of experience farming these particular vineyards shows in the wine's reliability vintage to vintage. For drinkers who want Sonoma Coast character without paying single-vineyard premiums, Fog Swept delivers genuine appellation identity.