Redwood trees are like skyscrapers in the mountains around Anderson Valley, a remote slice of Mendocino County in California that seems unblemished by civilization. It was an unlikely location for Louis Roederer to establish a California outpost in 1982. Back then, most Champagne houses were investing in Napa or Sonoma, and Anderson Valley was a farflung and untested location, with only a handful of wineries and vineyards.
But then-Roederer president Jean-Claude Rouzaud believed the terroir was ideal, offering cool nights, lots of fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean and well-drained clay and gravel soils. Now, as the winery marks its 40th anniversary, it’s clear Anderson Valley was a wise choice.
Read Wine Spectator senior editor Tim Fish's reflections on the legacy of this outstanding California sparkling wine producer.
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