Our family started Block Nine in response to changes in the Pinot Noir market. Demand for moderately priced Pinot Noir has spiked over the last few years. Large, mass marketed brands brought most of the Pinot to the market leaving consumers with few choices of smaller production Pinot Noir from California.

After completing his Enology degree at UC Davis, Larry Levin spent seventeen years at Dry Creek Vineyard. He has since covered the globe by making wine in New Zealand, Chile, and Australia across all price points and styles. For the previous nine years Larry was head of winemaking at Icon Estates where he oversaw the Franciscan, Mt. Veeder, Robert Mondavi, Estancia, Ravenswood, and Quintessa brands.