FISHER VINEYARDS, A FAMILY WINERY

OVER FIVE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE
Fisher Vineyards was founded in 1973 when Fred and Juelle Fisher purchased 100 acres in the Mayacamas Mountains on the western (Sonoma County) slope of Spring Mountain. There, they built a winery tucked among the vines and Douglas-fir trees. The winery itself is a product of the estate, having been built from the timber that was cut and milled on-site and crafted into an award-winning facility by their good friend and architect, William Turnbull.

In 1976, the family added another 57 acres on the Silverado Trail in Calistoga, running east from the Napa River to the Vaca Range, adjacent to the famed Eisele Vineyard.

Today, Fisher Vineyards stands alone as the longest established, family-run winery to produce wines from estate vineyards in both Napa and Sonoma. Blessed by significant contributions over five decades from several of California’s greatest wine talents (including Paul Hobbs, Mia Klein, David Abreu, Aaron Pott and Adam Goodrich), Fisher Vineyards now releases thirteen small-production bottlings each year; nine annual releases under the Fisher Vineyards label are estate grown, four others are bottled under the UNITY brand and include fruit from other growers.

MISSION
To grow and produce wines of consistent, world-class quality that express their unique mountain or valley heritage in the truest sense of terroir; the resulting wines should pay tribute to the land we are fortunate to care for, as well as each member of our team, which together yields classic balance and style that transcends time.

"We are small in size but great in scope with both mountain and valley estate vineyards. Our wines reflect the great care we have given these vineyards; those who drink the wines and those who write about the wines sing their praise, and we are grateful." - Fred J. Fisher, Proprietor

CRITICAL ACCLAIM
Across several hundred reviews of Fisher wines published over five decades (among Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate and Vinous Media), the consensus is consistently well north of 92 points. More significant for some: by Robert Parker’s assessment, the winery produced the first, highest rated, near-perfect Cabernet Sauvignon in Sonoma County history (99 Points in 1997). But perhaps most intriguing is Antonio Galloni’s latest note that asserts ‘…there is something magical about the Fisher Vineyards mountain estate…. producing wines that are contemporary in style, with leaning towards the classic.’

THE WINES

2016 Mountain Estate Vineyard, Chardonnay (Sonoma County)
The vines on the Mountain Estate grow on a steep, rocky, Northeast-facing slope at an average elevation of 1,300 feet, receiving early morning sun and minimal exposure to hot afternoon temperatures. Planted in 1999, this vineyard has proven ideal for the gradual ripening and maximum maturation of Chardonnay grapes.

Tasting Notes – Robert Parker, 95+ Points: The 2016 Mountain Estate Vineyard has an explosive nose of fresh pineapple, guava and lemon meringue pie with lime blossom, mandarin peel and honeysuckle nuances plus wafts of beeswax and baking bread. Medium to full-bodied, the palate follows through on everything the nose promised, offering layer upon layer of tropical, citrus and savory flavors, featuring an electric backbone and long, satisfyingly creamy finish. Wow. 428 cases produced.

2016 Whitney's Vineyard, Chardonnay (Sonoma County)
Planted in 1973, the Whitney's Vineyard (so named after Fred and Juelle Fisher's first daughter) is located on a gravelly hillside with a gently sloping southwestern exposure. The Vineyard is planted to Old Wente clone Chardonnay and produces less than one ton per acre. Today, these vines produce small berries that express their mountain heritage with mineral undertones and uniquely concentrated fruit flavors.

Tasting Notes – Robert Parker, 96 Points: The 2016 Whitney's Vineyard hits the ground running with vibrant pink grapefruit, green mango and ripe apricot scents plus suggestions of toasted almonds, croissant, fresh ginger and allspice. Medium to full-bodied, it ignites the palate with sparks of tropical and stone fruits, framed with racy acid and a silken texture, finishing very long and wonderfully layered. Simply, awesome. 143 cases were made.

2014 Mountain Estate Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)
Following more than 30 years adapting farming practices to the mountain climate and terrain around the winery, they are pleased to produce this wine from several Bordeaux varietal vineyard blocks yielding fruit of mature character and balance. The heart of this wine is Cabernet Sauvignon grown on steep, west facing terraces that rise above the early renowned Wedding Vineyard, reaching a towering elevation of 1,400 feet. Other contiguous vineyard blocks incorporate a great diversity of soils and exposures, providing additional complexity and unmistakable mountain terroir.

Tasting Notes – Antonio Galloni, 93 Points: The 2014 Mountain Estate Vineyard is gorgeous. Dark, powerful and inviting, but with plenty of Sonoma structure underpinning the wine's structure. Black cherry, mocha, plum and spice are front and center. Bold, intense and racy, the 2014 exudes concentration and richness from the very first taste. This is a superb wine, especially at this level.

2014 Coach Insignia, Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
The Coach Insignia honors the family’s tradition of craftsmanship, first represented in fine automobiles of the 20th century with Body by Fisher and now in Fisher Vineyards’ wines of the 21st century. The Coach Insignia is comprised of the finest selected lots of Bordeaux varietals from our Calistoga Estate. Nestled at the foot of The Palisades mountain range, these vines grow on an alluvial fan that slopes gently west, following Simmons Creek to the Napa River. The Estate’s well-drained soils are remarkably consistent, comprised primarily of cobblestones and loam. Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8% Malbec

Tasting notes – Antonio Galloni, 93 Points: Fisher's 2014 Coach Insignia is surprisingly dense and powerful. The flavors are dark, bold and incisive throughout. One of the more ample wines readers will come across, the 2014 Coach Insignia continues to develop nicely. A host of dark cherry, mocha, new leather, licorice and plum lead into the plush, inviting finish. The 2014 will drink well with minimal cellaring.

2013 Lamb Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
Nestled at the foot of the Palisades in Northern Napa Valley, the Lamb Vineyard has been a source of great pride for the family over the past quarter of a century. Named for Juelle's family, the vineyard was planted to Cabernet in 1982 and consistently yields small quantities of fruit that produce wine with a rare combination of rich concentrated flavors, velvety texture and elegance.

Tasting notes – Robert Parker, 94 Points: An absolutely brilliant wine is the 2013 Lamb Vineyard, which comes from their five-acre parcel in northeast Napa Valley. Notes of blackberry and black currant fruit interwoven with chocolate, wet stones and smoky barbecue notes are followed by an opulent, full-bodied, gorgeously proportioned and pure wine, with loads of character and richness. It should drink well for up to 20 or more years.

2013 Wedding Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County)
Commemorating Fred and Juelle Fisher’s wedding in 1975, the Wedding Vineyard is not only an integral part of the winery, but also an integral part of our family's life in the Mayacamas Mountains. First planted to Martha's Vineyard clone Cabernet in 1973, the Wedding Vineyard covers eleven gently sloping acres at an elevation of 1,200 feet. Replanted in 2002, the vineyard today is comprised of eight blocks of Cabernet, one block of Petite Verdot and one block of Cabernet Franc.

Tasting notes – Antonio Galloni, 95 Points: The 2013 Wedding Vineyard is a real knockout. Dark, powerful and somber in its personality, the 2013 presents intense black-fleshed fruit, graphite, smoke and licorice. There is more than enough depth to fill out the wine's ample, broad-shouldered frame. This powerful, virile mountain Cabernet may need a few years to fully come together, but it is impressive.

2015 UNITY, Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)
Certain world-class wines are defined by a single vineyard source, made unique by its particular, singular environmental conditions including soil and climate... Others echo a broader range of tones reflective of several sites, carefully chosen and woven together demonstrating the art of blending wine produced from more than one site, estate or appellation. While Fisher Vineyards continues to build on the family's first generation successes that embrace the former philosophy, our second generation sets out to explore the later in UNITY.

Tasting notes – Antonio Galloni, 90 Points: This Pinot Noir shows beautiful fruit-driven aromatics and plush texture. Notes of cherry, plum and a hint of citrus peel lift from the glass. The palate follows with beautifully balanced bramble fruit, rhubarb and cherry reduction, accented by notes of crème brulee and mocha. Boasting a lengthy finish, the wine closes with a savory component of dried herbs and harmonious acidity.

The Offer

2016 Mountain Estate Vineyard, Chardonnay - $75

2016 Whitney’s Vineyard, Chardonnay - $75

2014 Mountain Estate Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon - $95

2014 Coach Insignia, Cabernet Sauvignon - $110

2013 Lamb Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon - $150

2013 Wedding Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon - $150

2015 UNITY, Pinot Noir - $45

Jeff McCarthy, Wine Director 
[email protected]
707.569.2906