Garys’ Vineyards is the story of two friends with a vision for making world-class wine. In the 1990s, Gary Franscioni found an undeveloped piece of land in the middle of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA and recognized its potential for incredible Pinot Noir. He then called his childhood friend – another local vintner named Gary Pisoni– and together the two Garys established what has since become the preeminent Pinot Noir vineyard in this cult-favorite region.
Introducing Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir
Discover our single vineyard Pinot Noir from Garys' Vineyards, a premier site in the Santa Lucia Highlands cultivated by two visionary childhood friends.
- January 30, 2025
- 1 min read
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A Single Vineyard Expression
The vineyard site is a former riverbed, with Arroyo Seco Sandy Loam as a top layer on top of granite pebbles creating a well-drained site primed for Pinot Noir. It sits at the base of the Foothills, at about 400 feet, where there’s morning fog and cold, strong winds – both a result of the vineyard’s proximity to Monterey Bay.
Known as the “Blue Grand Canyon,” the ocean floor drops deep, deep below sea level very close offshore in the Monterey Bay. This impacts the temperature, keeping the region cool throughout the year. Fog and winds flow in through the gap, cooling down a location that otherwise would be extremely hot. This combination of hot sunshine and cool temperatures creates a unique growing region and season in which Pinot Noir thrives.
Garys’ Vineyard produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the United States. We are absolutely honored to have access to this fruit and thrilled to not only include in our Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, but also share this very small production single vineyard bottling. We hope you enjoy.
