Rowland Cellars makes about 7,000 cases of wine a year from appellations in Napa and New Zealand. The Ramspeck family started making wine 450 years ago and the brand was re-introduced by Gerry and Linda Rowland in 1991. Their other two brands are Rowland and Cenay.
Ramspeck Pinot Noir is made in Napa County. I tasted a 2009 vintage and found it to be darker than most Pinot Noir wines. It had a strong fruit and tobacco bite to it initially, but further consideration showed softness and a smooth finish. I liked that it was different and it was complex. What really makes it special is that it’s not something that you can find at any store. It’s unique, and inconsistent, and only available in limited quantity.