Today we present one of the longstanding producers of high quality Pinot and Chardonnay in Sonoma County. Centered in the Russian River Valley, Gary Farrell focuses on high quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir by sourcing from some of the regions great vineyards. Gary Farrell made his first wine under the Gary Farrell label in 1982 and was one of the first highly successful wineries to settle in the Russian River Valley. Building a state of the art facility in 2000, Gary eventually sold his winery in 2004 following a series of highly successful vintages and wines. Currently at the helm is Theresa Heredia who has a long winemaking history, and has previously had stints at Napa’s Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Freestone Vineyards on the Sonoma Coast. She even worked for Domaine de Montille in Burgundy learning how to make Pinot Noir and has been winemaker at Gary Farrell since 2012.
A former UC Davis PhD candidate in Chemistry, Theresa has some outstanding new wines. I love the 2020 Gary Farrrell ‘La Rincoada Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which shows a smooth texture with plenty of salty character from this unique site. I loved the 20119 Gary Farrrell ‘Rochioli-Allen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) with its weight and texture, showing some really good aging potential. Learn more about these great wines at https://www.garyfarrellwinery.com Here are the great new wines by Gary Farrell.
2020 Gary Farrell ‘La Rinconada Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This site in the Santa Rita Hills is neighboring the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard and was planted back in 1997. This comes off wonderfully salty with saline drenched pear and apple flavors alongside bright mango and starfruit tones. This exudes class with its terroir. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2020 Gary Farrell ‘Westside Farms’ Chardonnay- The really good 2020 Gary Farrell ‘Westside Farms’ Chardonnay comes from this 40 acre site on the banks of the Russian River. This is beautifully concentrated wine with a smooth texture. Layers of toasty oak with vanilla cream combine with roasted pineapple, mango and shades of bright starfruit on the palate. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2019 Gary Farrell ‘Terra de Promissio Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This comes from a 50 acre Pinot Noir vineyard located outside the town of Petaluma. The wine is jam-packed full of flavor with fresh strawberry and guava notes alongside citrus rind and freshly tilled soils on the palate. Lithe and nicely textured, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2023-2033- 92
2019 Gary Farrell ‘McDonald Mountain Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This 2019 Pinot Noir comes from this site which was first planted in 2008, set on four feet of Goldridge sandy loam underlain with Los Osos clay. Salty and very savory on the palate, this displays a dizzying array of salty red fruits on the palate, with bright kumquat rind and baking spice notes. Forward and generous, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2019 Gary Farrell ‘Rochioli-Allen Vineyards’ Pinot Noir- This great 2019 Pinot Noir comes from this location just south of the Rochioli Vineyard. This comes off wonderfully salty and savory on the palate. Pomegranate seed and allspice dusted red cherry candy combine with shades of guava and wet stone on the palate. Really refined and elegant with silky tannins, this is drinking beautifully already. Drink 2023-2035- 93