Tasting Notes

Producing a special wine to commemorate such an eminent figure is no small feat. Fortunately, we not only got to work with Joe Jr. for decades, but we also have his legendary Pinot Noir grapes to honor him. Intricately woven aromatics of rose petals laced with lavender and cinnamon bark captivate the olfactory receptors as you approach the glass. The lightness and pliability of the weight and texture dance across the palate, with polished red fruit just starting to peek out in the core, curtained by complex floral and herb notes. Fine tannins and ample acidity buoy this young, soft-spoken wine that will blossom over time, as only time can make a legend.

Winemaking Notes

This small lot wine was crafted with minimal intervention to honor the legacy and impact that Joe Rochioli Jr. had upon Gary Farrell Winery and the entire winemaking community of the Russian River Valley. Fruit from two unique blocks, New River 777 and Old River Block, was used to create this wine. The first block ripened at a normal pace, but the second block uncharacteristically stalled out while Joe’s health was failing, only fully ripening the day after he was laid to rest. This gave us the rare opportunity to ferment these iconic blocks individually and to blend them together with intent after barrel aging, lending respect to the vineyard and Joe’s enduring influence.

Vineyard Notes

The Rochioli Vineyard name is synonymous with the history of the Russian River Valley and the history of Gary Farrell Winery. The 162-acre Rochioli Vineyard was originally purchased in 1938 by Joe Rochioli, Sr. At a time when Pinot Noir was virtually unknown in the Russian River Valley, Joe Rochioli Jr. was a pioneer in selecting the Pommard clone for initial plantings. The first wine produced under the Gary Farrell Winery label, in 1982, was a Pinot Noir sourced from two of the Russian River Valley's premier vineyards, Rochioli and Allen, which are adjacent to each other on Westside Road not far from Gary Farrell Winery, and which have both been meticulously farmed by Joe Rochioli, Jr. for more than 40 years.