Roederer Estate

Roederer Estate was founded by Champagne Louis Roederer in California’s Anderson Valley, producing méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines from estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Flagship expressions: Brut (crisp, dry, citrus and brioche) and L’Ermitage (vintage tête-de-cuvée, longer on lees, richer and toasty).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Champagne Louis Roederer choose Anderson Valley over other California wine regions?

Champagne Louis Roederer — producers of Cristal — established Roederer Estate in 1982 after a systematic search for California terroir capable of producing world-class traditional-method sparkling wine. The key requirements for great sparkling wine base wine are the same in California as in Champagne: cool climate, high natural acidity, and moderate sugar accumulation that allows extended time on the vine without the grapes becoming too ripe. The Anderson Valley in Mendocino County — a deep, fog-filled coastal valley that opens to the Pacific Ocean — provides exactly this: morning fog and afternoon maritime influence keep temperatures low and the growing season long, producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with the high natural acidity and restrained ripeness that sparkling wine requires. Warmer California regions (Napa, much of Sonoma) produce grapes that are too ripe for sparkling wine base — the resulting wine lacks the acidity needed to carry extended lees aging.

What is L’Ermitage and how does it differ from the Brut NV?

L’Ermitage is Roederer Estate’s vintage tête-de-cuvée — the prestige expression, produced only in the best years from the estate’s finest vineyard parcels. The Brut NV is a non-vintage blend produced annually to a consistent house style, using wines from multiple vintages to maintain continuity. L’Ermitage is vintage-dated, produced from a single exceptional year, and aged significantly longer on the lees — typically 5–6 years before disgorgement compared to the Brut’s standard 2–3 years. Extended lees aging develops more pronounced autolytic character: biscuit, brioche, toasted hazelnuts, and a creamier, more complex mousse. The Brut is for everyday and celebratory occasions; L’Ermitage is for the occasions that call for a world-class sparkling wine on par with prestigious Champagne cuvees.