Santa Lucia Highland’s Garys’ Vineyard

“Located inland from Monterey in the Santa Lucia Highlands, Garys’ Vineyard is widely recognized for producing some of the finest Pinot Noir in California. Named after partners Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni, the vineyard was planted in 1995 using clandestinely obtained budwood from the famed La Tâche vineyard in Burgundy.”

Read more about my fabulous visit to Garys’ Vineyard during a recent sommelier trip below.

Garys' Vineyard

Arriving to Garys’ Vineyard and being welcomed by Gary Franscioni and Mark Pisconi.

Garys' Vineyard

Garys' Vineyard

Relaxing in the vineyard while tasting through the various Lucia and Garys’ Vineyard Wines. What a perfect afternoon in The Santa Lucia Highlands.

Garys' Vineyard

Garys' Vineyard

Our welcome by Mark Pisoni, son of Gary Pisoni. He is truly a fabulous, second generation wine grower and visionary. It was so great to hear him and his father’s partner, Gary Franscioni, welcome the group, share their family’s story and then welcome us to our next stop, which was a visit at Pisoni Vineyards. Read more about that on the blog soon!

Garys' Vineyard

Garys' Vineyard

Garys' Vineyard

Garys' Vineyard

Garys' Vineyard

Garys' Vineyard

Garys' Vineyard

Garys' Vineyard

Beginning our fun tractor ride through Garys’ Vineyard. This was one of the most fun, memorable experiences I have ever had at a winery and I will never forget this wine, meeting the Garys’ vineyard families and team, and how much fun we had!

Garys' Vineyard

My new favorite wheels for exploring a vineyard.

Garys' Vineyard

Mark Pisoni giving the group a pruning tutorial. We were then given the task of pruning or dropping fruit for about 20 minutes with the best 3 pruners selected for a prize!

Garys' Vineyard

This was my first time pruning and I fell in love. I guess my dad, who is a Landscape Architect, did pass on the green thumb to me. It was super therapeutic and awesome knowing our work dropping the fruit helps ensure the highest quality of grapes come harvest.

Garys' Vineyard

Garys' Vineyard

This was an example of a grape to cut as part was ripe and part green. The green grapes will deplete the energy needing to make the already ripe grapes higher in quality.

Garys' Vineyard

Mark Pisoni and Vineyard Manager announcing the 4 best pruners who would each win a magnum!

Garys' Vineyard

I was quite surprised to be one of the four winners selected. What an honor learning how to drop fruit at legendary Garys’ Vineyard and actually not be so bad at it!

Garys' Vineyard

Group shot of the Garys’ Vineyard team. Thank you all for your time hosting us, teaching us about your winemaking, your incredible vineyards, and, of course, the delicious wine tasting we experienced.

Photos by Richard Green Photography

 

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