Posts tagged: Santa Lucia Highlands

98 Point Syrah Sensation

Bibiana González Rave is the founder and winemaker of Cattleya Wines. She is also the wife of star winemaker Jeff Pisoni.  Born and raised in Colombia and trained as a winemaker in France, she moved to California in 2007 to settle into making extraordinary wines.  In her words: “Since my early teenage years, my dream has been […]

Monday May 13th, 2019 in , , , , , , | No Comments »

Drink wine with Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, and Jackson Pollock…

The wrath of Juno sent Aeneas wandering the Mediterranean in Vergil’s Aeneid. For the ancient Romans, ira or wrath, was a tool of a god, an unstoppable anger driven by forces greater than man. One can argue that we see such fury in both the might of nature and the passion of art. Wrath appears […]

Saturday December 15th, 2018 in , , , , , | No Comments »

Premiere Release 85 case Jeff Pisoni Pinot sensation

  This 85 case production, 4 barrels is a new road the Luli folks (Sara & Gary Pisoni) have taken.  Working with a single vineyard (Highlands Ranch), instead of a blend of various SLH vineyards.  This Innaugural release will wow you, both on the palate as well as the wallet! Luli is a partnership formed by […]

Wednesday September 20th, 2017 in , , , , , , | No Comments »

Travel Notes ~ Monterey County

Monterey County ~ Travel Notes By Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast Few places in California have welcomed visitors longer than Monterey County, home to one of the four presidios that Spanish colonists established on the West Coast in the late 1700s. Over the centuries, fishing, farming and tourism have thrived here. It’s also one of the […]

Saturday August 12th, 2017 in , , | No Comments »

“SUCCULENT” 93 POINT CHARDONNAY

The Pisoni and Franscioni families, now third generation farmers, harness the wildness of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Their farming of the Chardonnay is pinpointed – each grape cluster and leaf positioned just right to be kissed gently by the morning sunshine and shaded from the afternoon sun and brisk Monterey Bay wind. The granitic soil […]

Friday May 19th, 2017 in , , , , , | No Comments »

What is a Microclimate?

Microclimate is a word English teachers love: the definition is self-explanatory. But while it seems easy to understand, the wine jargon that often accompanies wine tastings and tours makes microclimates seem complex and confusing. In truth, microclimates are easy to see and even easier to feel. Unlike “malolactic fermentation” and other mysteries of winemaking, microclimates […]

Saturday October 29th, 2016 in , , , , , , | No Comments »

MidWeek Wine Special!

  The Rosella vineyard is on of the most sought after vineyard sources for great Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Nestled in the benchland of Monterey’s Santa Lucia Highlands, Rosella’s Vineyard was planted in 1996 by Gary Franscioni one of the appellation’s pioneering growers (from Garys’ fame – he also owns the Garys’ vineyard with Gary […]

Wednesday August 10th, 2016 in , , , , , | No Comments »

Chardonnay of the Week

  Roar Winery is the brain child of the “other” Gary – Gary Franscioni and his wife Rosella.  Gary who also owns the GARYS’ vineyard with Gary Pisoni, planted various vineyards in 1996 (Sierra Mar, Rosella, Soberanos and Garys’).  The Franscioni family sells over 80% of its fruit to various wineries, retaining only a small amount […]

Thursday April 14th, 2016 in , , , , , | No Comments »

A Garys’ Pinot Noir for the ages, includes FREE SHIPPING!

The vineyard is collaboration between the two Garys, Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni thus the Garys’ vineyard.  Gary Franscioni has deep roots in the valley, going back 100 years.  After he studies at Cal Poly he took over the family farming business and swiftly turned it into a vineyard project.  He owns the famed Rosella […]

Wednesday December 2nd, 2015 in , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Astounding Summer Wine

When your uncle is Chuck Wagner (Caymus), you are expected to make wine – period. Derek and his brother Kurt Beitler did just that. They each created their own wineries and are making the wine at the Caymus facility. Both have day jobs managing the Caymus (and other) vineyards.  Bodega Rancho produces two Syrahs and one […]

Friday July 10th, 2015 in , , , , , , | No Comments »