UPDATED BLOG POST ALERT
Back on August 3, 2018 I visited the newly renovated Gary Farrell Winery for my 100 Wineries In 100 Days Challenge.
In Part 2 of this blogpost I detail my first time trying Gary Farrell wines and falling in love with the winery.
Right now, let’s discuss my most recent visit.
PART 1
August 2019 I was invited by Emily Martin Events to attend a blogger tasting at Gary Farrell Winery.
HELLO?!?!? I JUMPED at the opportunity!
I canceled my previous plans (eeeeekkkk!!!) in exchange for an afternoon at what I consider:
Russian River Valley’s Pinot Paradise!
For this particular blogger tasting we partook in Gary Farrell’s:
A 90 minute tour.
Starting with an insider tour of the wine making facility where all the magic happens!
From barrels, to steel tanks, a concrete wine egg, and the grape sorting table there is so much that goes into making flawless Gary Farrell wine.
After the tour, a communal tasting awaits with a selection of five wines each paired with an artisan cheese.
Sommeliers from the winery visit the cheese making facility to carefully select cheeses for the pairing.
Before I even sat down at the impeccable table setting, my eyes spotted a cheese with beautiful dried flowers!
My favorite wine was the 2015 McDonald Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir.
I’m typically a Sonoma Coast Pinot girl, but this Pinot intrigued me.
The McDonald Mountain vineyard is nestled in a cooler climate area right in between Russian River Valley and the Petaluma Gap.
Small and extremely flavor packed grape clusters with just the right balance of acidity.
PART 2
Now let’s discuss my experience here for 100 Wineries In 100 Days:
Known as a “Grand Cru” of the Russian River Valley.
Perched high on a ridge above Sonoma County Russian River Valley is Gary Farrell @garyfarrellwinery
One of the prettiest wineries in Russian River valley.
Panoramic views of vineyards and Redwoods.
The term breathtaking is overused.
Not in the case of Gary Farrell though.
THIS view is absolutely breathtaking.
Since the 1970’s Gary Farrell, a vintner in the Russian River Valley AVA, was known for crafting exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot wines.
He founded Gary Farrell Winery in 1982.
Gary had an obsession with:
Cleanliness
Natural process flow
Small-tank fermentations
Top-flight French oak cooperage
Meticulous attention to detail.
The winery has since been sold to The Vincraft Group.
A fine wine investment company led by a trio of top wine industry executives:
Pete Scott, former CFO of Beringer Wine Estates; Walt Klenz, former president and CEO of Beringer Wine Estates; and Bill Price, owner of famed Durell Vineyard and Gap’s Crown Vineyard, and a partner in Kistler Vineyards.
Gary’s legacy lives on and the mission to push Gary Farrell wines to an even higher quality.
Small-lot winemaking with big flavor.
Grapes are treated like babies.
Carefully pressed.
In 2017 Gary Farrell Winery Chardonnay was named TOP wine for 2017 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Woman winemaker alert!!!
Theresa Heredia is keeping the Gary Farrell tradition of small lot Burgundian-styled wines.
Gary Farrell Winery has relationships with Russian River Valley’s most sought after vineyards.
For example Rochioli.
By appointment only.
No pets or kids allowed.
The newly renovated tasting room is EXQUISITE.
Gorgeous art, decor, and general classy but laid back aesthetic.
