2019 Giving Kitchen Pinot Noir Russian River

There’s no way we’d ever pass up a shot at a Russian River Pinot Noir made by Atelier Melka Director of Winemaking and Wine Enthusiast honoree Maayan Koschitzky… and no way we’d EVER expect it to cost less than $45 per bottle.

That’s why the 2019 Giving Kitchen Pinot Noir Russian River is such a straight-up steal. Crafted by the superstar winemaker named one of Wine Enthusiast’s 40 under 40 Tastemakers, it teems with the lush fruit, lively energy, and satiny texture that makes Russian River Pinot some of the most in-demand in the world. 

$2 of every bottle goes to Giving Kitchen, a great cause that we can thank for this over-delivering wine. See, Maayan’s got deep connections in California, and since his vineyard sources were as eager to help Giving Kitchen as he was, he scored the kind of Russian River Pinot Noir that you would never, ever find for this kind of price out there in the retail world. We can’t tell you names, but after one sip of the 2019 GK Pinot, you’ll know he tapped the crème de la crème. 

With La Pelle, Screaming Eagle, and Dalla Valle on his resume, Maayan Koschitzky has made some of Napa Valley’s most exclusive wines—but nothing lights him up more than talking about Giving Kitchen wines… and after about a minute of tasting with him, we were as excited as he was. 

“Things have been very busy this year,” he said about Giving Kitchen, which he and his business partner David Green call the most meaningful thing they’ve ever been involved in. “We’ve been supporting a lot of restaurant employees with medical aid, financial help—and Giving Kitchen’s going to expand to Tennessee soon as well.”  

Founded in Atlanta in 2013, Giving Kitchen helps food service workers by providing crisis mitigation through financial support and a network of community resources. Since its inception, GK has helped more than 7,000 food service workers in Georgia, and the James Beard Foundation honored the organization as their 2019 Humanitarian of the Year. 

When Giving Kitchen got the idea to make their own wine, they immediately connected with Maayan, who leapt on board: “The goal was to make a great wine first,” he told us. “A great product, with a great goal behind it.” 

Pale purple-magenta in color, the glass overflows with aromas of bright black raspberry, red cherry, forest floor, cherry cola, fresh lavender, and preserved strawberry. Satiny tannins caress the palate on entry, swaddling the chewy red fruit, and after 14 months in 50% new French oak, the wine finishes with hints of kola nut, herbes de Provence, and vanilla. 

Any fans of expressive, fruit-forward Pinot Noir will adore this wine, and anyone with love for the restaurant business will feel great supporting such a worthy cause. We’re thrilled to be backing Giving Kitchen and know you will be too. It’s Win-Win-Win(e)!

• Fruit Intensity
• Oak Intensity
• Body
• Acidity
• Tannin

• ABV 13.50%
• 15 mins
• Drink Up
• % Pinot Noir
• Serving temperature – 58°
• Cork