Since the early 1980s, Gary Farrell Winery has championed quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from some of the top vineyards in the Russian River Valley.

One of the early pioneers of the nascent Russian River Valley, Gary Farrell alongside seminal Sonoma County vintners such as Davis Bynum, Joe Rochioli, Tom Dehlinger, and Robert Stemmler were influential in bringing crtical acclaim to the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays of the region.

Established as an American Viticultural Area in 1983, the Russian River Valley may be the best-recognized Sonoma County appellation globally. Most known for its quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the key is the appellation’s climate. Cool breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean blanket the area most mornings and evenings. The fog and wind temper summer’s heat and can reduce temperatures by 35-40 degrees at night, ensuring a long, even growing season. The slow ripening process fully matures the fruit while maintaining healthy levels of acidity.

The Russian River Valley’s wide range of volcanic, sandstone, and alluvial soils are favorable for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, providing essential water drainage while retaining sufficient moisture and nutrients to nourish the vines during the appellation’s long growing season. These conditions yield wines boasting bright, vibrant aromas, intense yet supple flavors and exemplary balance.

Gary Farrell produced his first wine in 1982; a Pinot Noir sourced from two of the Valley’s premier vineyards, Rochioli and Allen, which are adjacent to each other on Westside Road, not far from Gary Farrell Winery.

Developing fruitful, long-term partnerships with the owners of such vineyards has proven to be the driving force behind Gary Farrell’s success. Today, the winery is largely considered to be one of the most acclaimed producers of small-lot, single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Russian River Valley.

Gary Farrell Winery Chardonnays offer lush, full-bodied, citrus and tropical fruit tones balanced by bright acidity, while the Pinot Noirs embody the variety’s broad ripeness spectrum, displaying bright red fruit aromas, vibrant black cherry and berry flavors, and seductive sandalwood and Asian spice tones.

Although Farrell sold in 2004, Gary Farrell Winery, under the ownership of Bill Price (Proprietor of Kistler Vineyards and Three Sticks Wines), continues its collaborative partnerships with top growers and its commitment to wines that capture the unique character of the vineyard.

Price, along with a group of investors, is carefully nurturing Gary Farrell’s legacy of producing small lots of varietally expressive and regionally distinctive Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays at its beautifully designed winery on Westside Road.

Drawing on his quarter-century of winemaking experience, Farrell built the winery in 2000, and it reflects his legendary obsession with cleanliness, natural process flow, small-tank fermentations, top-flight French oak cooperage, and meticulous attention to detail.

In 2012, Theresa Heredia, a highly respected winemaker who has long specialized in small-lot, single-vineyard wines, joined Gary Farrell Winery and is experimenting with new techniques to elevate quality further. She came from Joseph Phelps Freestone Vineyards in the Sonoma Coast appellation, where she achieved significant critical acclaim, including “Winemaker to Watch” honors from the San Francisco Chronicle.

As we continue to partner with our Vintner Members in providing you access to small-lot bottlings of rare and exclusive wines, it is my pleasure to bring you this week’s Mayacama Wine Offer – a lineup of four Single Vineyard Designate Gary Farrell Pinot Noir bottlings.

All four wines are representative of the 2017 vintage and are coming to you winery direct. Additionally, we are offering these wines, for a limited time, at Gary Farrell Winery’s Wine Club pricing.

Last but not least, a purchase of 6 bottles or more will come with a complimentary Tour/Tasting experience for two at Gary Farrell Winery in the Russian River Valley.

As always, feel free to let me know if you have any questions. Thank you so much for your continued support.

Cheers!

Carey Vanderborg, Wine Director

Pinot Noir, Rochioli-Allen Vineyard, Russian River Valley 2017

Retail: $80 | Mayacama Price: $72

Pinot Noir, McDonald Mountain Vineyard, Russian River Valley 2017

Retail: $70 | Mayacama Price: $63

Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley 2017

Retail: $70 | Mayacama Price: $63

Pinot Noir, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 2017

Retail: $65 | Mayacama Price: $58.5

Click here for more information regarding the wines.