Club Wine Notes

VINEYARDS & VINTAGE NOTES

Rochioli Vineyard was originally purchased in 1938 by Joe Rochioli, Sr. The vision of growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay along these fertile, gravelly soils was carried out by Joe Jr. after his father’s passing in 1966. Most of the Chardonnay blocks are
located at the far eastern edge of the estate, just off the meandering Russian River, where the vines literally soak up the remarkable terroir of the estate.

The partnership between Gary Farrell Winery and the Rochioli Vineyard began more than 40 years ago with a simple handshake and has become a fundamental part of our story here in the Russian River Valley.

2023 was a very long, cool growing season, resulting in our latest start and finish to harvest on record. The extended hang time at lower temperatures provided gorgeous fruit with stunning flavors, structure, and complexity for another vintage of beautiful
wines.

WINEMAKING NOTES

The grapes were hand-harvested, then carefully sorted and whole-cluster pressed using a gentle press program. After pressing, the juice was allowed to cold-settle overnight before inoculating with Montrachet yeast, then transferring to 30% new and 70% one to three-year-old neutral French Oak barrels for fermentation and aging. After 10 months of aging, each barrel was carefully evaluated, and the most elegantly structured wines were selected for this beautiful single vineyard wine.

Tasting Notes

Rochioli Vineyard’s hallmark balance of richness and precision is on full display, offering an inviting aromatic profile layered with Meyer lemon zest, beeswax and crème fraîche. On the palate, a medium bodied, silky texture carries flavors of crisp green apple, grapefruit pith, and subtle pastry tones, lifted by vibrant freshness. Poised and expressive now, with the structure and energy to evolve beautifully, this is a classic, age-worthy expression of Rochioli Chardonnay.

VINEYARDS & VINTAGE NOTES

In 1956, Helen and Charles Bacigalupi purchased 121 acres of prime vineyard land along Westside Road, in the heart of the Russian River Valley. In 1964, they were among the first in the area to plant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Bacigalupi
family grapes garnered fame in 1976 when they were used to make Chateau Montelena’s winning entry in that year’s Paris Tasting. The oldest vines that remain on the property were planted in 1967 on St. George rootstock and are a mix of head trained and cordon-trained vines. This historic block is one of the main components of our Bacigalupi Chardonnay.

2023 was a very long, cool growing season, resulting in our latest start and finish to harvest on record. The extended hang time at lower temperatures provided gorgeous fruit with stunning flavors, structure, and complexity for another vintage of beautiful wines.

WINEMAKING NOTES

The grapes were hand-harvested, then carefully sorted and whole-cluster pressed using a gentle press program. After pressing, the juice was allowed to cold-settle overnight before inoculating with Montrachet yeast, then transferring to 35% new French Oak barrels and 65% a mix of one to three-year-old neutral French Oak barrels and 500-L French Oak Puncheons for fermentation and aging. After 10 months of aging, each barrel was carefully evaluated, and the most elegantly structured wines were selected for this beautiful single vineyard wine.

Tasting Notes

Opening with aromas of baking spice, and vanilla layered over ripe green pear, Granny Smith apple, and fresh pineapple, showcasing a rich and expressive character. Toasty notes and hints of beeswax add warmth and depth on the nose. On the palate, a generous, well-rounded texture carries flavors of lemon curd, golden apple, and honey-buttered brioche, balanced by medium acidity and a gentle creaminess. Soft, polished, and harmonious, it finishes with a lingering sense of richness and ease.

VINEYARDS & VINTAGE NOTES

This picturesque vineyard has quickly risen to the top echelon of Sonoma County Vineyards and is highly sought after by winemakers all over California. First planted in 2002, Gap’s Crown includes 106 acres of Pinot Noir and 32 acres of
Chardonnay. The vineyard is in the Petaluma Gap AVA in southwest Sonoma County where the climate is highly influenced by the effects of the coastal fog from the Pacific Ocean. Spanning the foothills of Sonoma Mountain, the vineyard offers a variety of soil types at elevations of 300 to 800 feet above sea level, with steep hillsides to promote natural airflow and soil drainage. Steep slopes and rocky soils create vine stress that yields rich, concentrated, structured wines. 2022 can best be described as “early”. It began with a cold, dry winter that led to early bud break. Serious frost in April and an unexpected hailstorm in May caused damage to new growth and flowers, impacting yields. Hot Summer temperatures led to an early onset of harvest, with harvest ending on September 9th, the earliest in our winery history. Despite the rapid pace, flavors and tannin were concentrated and acidity was vibrant, creating wines that rival those of the beautiful 2021 vintage.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Grapes were harvested in the early morning hours then brought to the winery for hand sorting, where 63% of the grapes were de-stemmed, then transferred to open top tanks, while 37% of the fruit was added on top as whole clusters. The juice allowed to cold soak for 5 days before fermentation. During fermentation, the cap was gently punched down (2-3 times per day) with an occasional juice pump over. After fermentation, the new wine stayed in tank for 10-15 days of extended maceration to soften tannins and develop more complexity before being gently pressed off its solids, inoculated for malolactic fermentation, and racked into 40% new French oak barrels for 15 months of barrel aging on primary lees.

Tasting Notes

Leaning into the vineyard’s windswept, coastal character, this Pinot Noir opens with an aromatic lift of cranberry, boysenberry, and citrus peel layered with eucalyptus, thyme, and the earthy freshness of wet leaves. The palate is structured yet energetic, with tart red fruit, black tea, and a touch of fresh mint carried by fine, grippy tannins and bright acidity. This is the bottle to open after a long day outdoors, the perfect match to crisp air and an evening of lively conversation. Focused and savory, it finishes with a subtle cedar note and a lingering sense of place that defines Gap’s Crown.

VINEYARDS & VINTAGE NOTES

Named for its previous owners, the 100-acre Hallberg Vineyard is today owned and managed by wine industry veterans including vineyard manager Riggs Lokka. Nestled in the Green Valley sub-appellation, this beautiful 100% dry-farmed site enjoys refreshing daytime breezes and cool nighttime temperatures. The strong marine influence means less severe daily temperature shifts so the vines never completely shut down, producing fruit with deep, dark color, great structure, silky tannins, darker fruit flavors and earthy characteristics. 2022 can best be described as “early”. It began with a cold, dry winter that led to early bud break. Serious frost in April and an unexpected hailstorm in May caused damage to new growth and flowers, impacting yields. Hot Summer temperatures led to an early onset of harvest, with harvest ending on September 9th, the earliest in our winery history. Despite the rapid pace, flavors and tannin were concentrated and acidity was vibrant, creating wines that rival those of the beautiful 2021 vintage.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Grapes were hand-harvested in the cool early morning hours to ensure optimal fruit integrity, then brought to the winery for careful sorting and de-stemming. About25% of the fruit was kept as whole clusters for fermentation. The whole clusters were layered atop the destemmed berries in a small open-top oak fermenter to contribute aromatic lift, structure, and complexity. Following a five-day cold soak, the must was inoculated with yeast. Fermentation temperatures were closely monitored, and extraction was managed through daily punch-downs to maintain a balanced tannin profile. After dryness, the wine remained on skins for an extended maceration of over ten days to further enhance complexity and soften tannins. The tank was then drained, and the must gently pressed using our Bucher basket press. The wine was aged for 15 months on primary lees in French oak barrels (45%new).

Tasting Notes

This enduring favorite from Hallberg Vineyard opens with bright red cherry, raspberry, and currant aromas layered with hints of rose petals, cedar, and forest floor. On the palate, summer strawberries, red plum, and blood orange mingle with savory notes of dried mushroom and a touch of bay laurel and clove. Silky tannins and lively acidity frame the vibrant red fruit, leading to a zesty, enduring finish that showcases the vineyard’s hallmark complexity and elegance.

VINEYARDS & VINTAGE NOTES

Originally planted in 1979 by Ed Durell, this famous vineyard is in the southwestern foothills of the Sonoma Valley, north of the San Pablo Bay and east of the Petaluma Wind Gap. The site is moderated by the Bay and Pacific Ocean effects, making it ideal for cool-climate Chardonnay. Our block of Chardonnay is planted to an Old Wente selection, and the rocky, volcanic soils at Durell Vineyard create a challenging environment for the vines’ root system, yielding very small grape clusters that have tremendous concentration and power. 2023 was a very long, cool growing season, resulting in our latest start and finish to harvest on record. The extended hang time at lower temperatures provided gorgeous fruit with stunning flavors, structure, and complexity for another vintage of beautiful wines.

WINEMAKING NOTES

The grapes were hand-harvested, then carefully sorted and whole-cluster pressed using a gentle press program. After pressing, the juice was allowed to cold-settle overnight before inoculating with Montrachet yeast, then transferring to 33% new
oak and 30% of the volume into one to three-year-old neutral 500-L French Oak Puncheons for fermentation and aging. After 10 months of aging, each barrel was carefully evaluated, and the most elegantly structured wines were selected for this beautiful single vineyard wine.

Tasting Notes

A fresh, layered expression, offering aromas of lemon curd, tart green apple, and pear suggestive of a crisp morning walk through an orchard. On the palate, citrus pith and subtle stone fruit are carried by a gently oily texture, making this a wine best enjoyed slowly – either alone or paired with light meal. Bright, mineral lift keeps the profile focused and refined, guiding the wine through a lingering finish that balances freshness with quiet depth.

VINEYARDS & VINTAGE NOTES

Ritchie Vineyard is legendary in Russian River Valley, widely regarded as one of the best Chardonnay sites in all of California. The vineyard was first planted in 1972 to a handful of heritage selections, including Old Wente, and sits on a rolling northwest facing hillside in the heart of Russian River Valley. The unique soil profile, comprised of Goldridge series sandy loam and a layer of volcanic ash deposits, creates wines with great intensity, which exude a rare purity and sense of place. For more than forty years, Kent Ritchie has farmed this vineyard with passion, precision, and a loving touch. Like the best growers in the area, he understands that the relationship with the winemakers are as important as the quality of the finished product that bears his name.

2023 was a very long, cool growing season, resulting in our latest start and finish to harvest on record. The extended hang time at lower temperatures provided gorgeous fruit with stunning flavors, structure, and complexity for another vintage of beautiful wines.

WINEMAKING NOTES

The grapes were hand-harvested, then carefully sorted and whole-cluster pressed using a gentle press program. After pressing, the juice was allowed to cold-settle overnight before inoculating with Montrachet yeast, then transferring to 30% new French Oak for fermentation and aging. After 10 months of aging, each barrel was carefully evaluated, and the most elegantly structured wines were selected for this beautiful single vineyard wine.

Tasting Notes

Aromas of apple blossom, orchard fruits, and bright pomelo are lifted by a delicate creamy nuance. The palate is lively and approachable, offering golden apple and citrus tones framed by subtle oak and the vineyard’s signature mineral freshness. Zippy, balanced, and distinctly food-friendly, the 2023 vintage captures a polished yet easygoing expression of this renowned Chardonnay site.

VINEYARDS & VINTAGE NOTES

The Lancel Creek Vineyard is located in the West Sonoma Coast area, just a mile north of the tiny town of Occidental. The climate here, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, is extremely marine-influenced, with plenty of dense fog from
nighttime until late morning, and temperatures ranging from mid 40s to mid 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The combination of cool ocean air and warm afternoon sunshine produces truly coastal wines with incredible balance, opulence, and a beautiful sense of place. This blend is composed of Calera, clone 777 and Pommard. 2022 can best be described as “early”. It began with a cold, dry winter that led to early bud break. Serious frost in April and an unexpected hailstorm in May caused damage to new growth and flowers, impacting yields. Hot Summer temperatures led to an early onset of harvest, with harvest ending on September 9th, the earliest in our winery history. Despite the rapid pace, flavors and tannin were concentrated and acidity was vibrant, creating wines that rival those of the beautiful 2021 vintage.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Grapes were harvested in the early morning hours then brought to the winery for hand sorting, where 77% of the grapes were de-stemmed, then transferred to opentop tanks, while 23% of the fruit was added on top as whole clusters. The juice allowed to cold soak for 7 days before fermentation. During fermentation, the cap was gently punched down with an occasional juice pump over. After fermentation, the new wine stayed in tank for 10 days of extended maceration to soften tannins and develop more complexity before being gently pressed off its solids, inoculated for malolactic fermentation, and racked into 40% new French oak barrels for 15 months of barrel aging on primary lees.

Tasting Notes

The 2022 Lancel Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir is all coastal energy and charm, with a bright, fruit-forward nose of lingonberry, cassis, and tart red berries laced with subtle herbal, woodsy intrigue. Electric lift and pomegranate-like freshness drive the palate, while spicy, savory layers and fine, lingering tannins make it the natural companion for an impromptu weekend hang or a last minute change of plans that includes a blanket and snacks on the couch.