Fodor's Expert Review Cartograph Wines

The husband-wife team behind Cartograph believes in Pinot Noirs emphasizing "balance, nuance, and complexity, rather than power and intensity." To that end they select vineyard sites based on climate and clone compatibility, harvest their grapes on the early side, and intervene as little as possible during the wine-making process. The resulting wines please on their own and pair well with food. Unlike many Sonoma County Pinot producers, Cartograph eschews Chardonnay for its still whites, opting instead for the Alsatian grapes Gewürztraminer and Riesling, both done in a refreshingly crisp and dry style. Chardonnay does, however, appear in the winery's two sparkling wines. All visits to the storefront space a block northeast of Healdsburg Plaza are by appointment (call for same-day).