Sonoma Selection
Tasting Notes
SUMMER 2026 RELEASE
Summer evokes a certain nostalgia for long days with no responsibilities, evenings where you stay out just a little too late, and nights where you fall asleep to the sounds outside your window, dreaming of tomorrow’s adventures. This summer, your shipment includes:
2023 Olivet Lane Vineyard Chardonnay
VINEYARDS & VINTAGE NOTES
Olivet Lane Vineyard was planted in 1975 to Wente selection on AXR rootstock. The vineyard sits on 65 acres of sloping benchland in the Santa Rosa Plain, in between the warmer Westside Road region and the cooler Green Valley, where warm summer days are moderated by cool breezes and chilly evening temperatures. The combination of low temperatures, regular fog intrusion, and well-drained loam, clay soils create an excellent environment for growing Chardonnay that develop cool-climate characteristics and impeccable acid at low sugars. The wines from this vineyard simultaneously express power and finesse, and they do so with tremendous balance. 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 36% of the volume to three-year-old neutral 500-L French Oak Puncheons for fermentation and aging, where it remained on its primary lees until it was time to bottle. The wines were racked off the primary lees only once, just before bottling.
TASTING NOTES
Fresh apricot, tangerine and lemon zest come together in a layered, expressive aromatic profile, accented by notes of unripe peach, honeysuckle, and a hint of pie crust. On the palate, creamy textures and citrus-driven flavors unfold with a sense of ease and lift. Beautifully balanced, it’s a wine that doesn’t tip too far in any direction, and that’s exactly the point.
2023 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
VINEYARDS & VINTAGE NOTES
Olivet Lane Vineyard was planted in 1975 to Wente selection on AXR rootstock. The vineyard sits on 65 acres of sloping benchland in the Santa Rosa Plain, in between the warmer Westside Road region and the cooler Green Valley, where Our Russian River Valley bottlings are quintessential appellation wines compiled from some of the region’s top vineyards, taking advantage of varied climates and unique site characteristics. Ranging from vineyards like Rochioli and Bacigalupi in the warm but river cooled Middle Reach neighborhood, to Hallberg in the more foggy, cool climate extreme of Green Valley, and many other sites in between, this beautiful expression of the varietal and of the appellation’s exceptional terroir captures the richness, purity and elegance that are Gary Farrell Winery’s trademarks. 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
Grapes were hand-harvested in the cool morning hours then brought to the winery for careful sorting and de-stemming, though a small percentage of the fruit was kept as whole clusters for fermentation. After a 4-7 day cold soak in small, opentop tanks, the must was inoculated with yeast and extraction was managed by punch-downs and pump overs during fermentation. A 7-10 day extended maceration occurred post-fermentation to enhance complexity and soften tannins before draining and gentle pressing in our Bucher basket press. The wine was aged for 9 months in French oak barrels (35% new) from select coopers Ana Selection, Tonnellerie Ô, Francois Frères, and Remond.
TASTING NOTES
A true representative of the stunning Russian River Valley appellation, this Pinot Noir opens with vibrant aromas of succulent red cherries and rose petals with swirl of brown baking spices and a touch of cedar. The broad, medium-bodied palate delivers more ripe red fruits, blood orange, and some savory earth notes, all supported by zesty acidity and fine tannins into the long, spicy finish.
Also Included in Your Shipment
A Slice of Summer
The best parts of summer are often the simplest. Which is why we’ve included all-natural, dried citrus slices in your Sonoma Selection Shipment to inspire beautiful moments all season long.
Perfect For:
- Elevating a charcuterie board
- Garnishing iced beverages
- Decorating place settings
- Creating a fragrant summer garland
pack the perfect picnic
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GARY FARRELL TIPS
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