Gary Farrell
Encyclopedia
Gary Farrell is a California
winemaker
, specializing in the production of Pinot Noir
and Chardonnay
from Sonoma County’s
Russian River Valley. He currently produces his luxury line of wines under the Alysian (ah-liss-ee-uhn) brand, which he co-founded in 2007 with investment banker Bill Hambrecht and Denise Sanders.
on April 20, 1952.
His scholastic interests in Political Science
and Criminal Law
led him to Sonoma State University
in 1970. This relocation to Sonoma County placed him in the heart of one of California's most promising wine regions, and this local industry prompted a new career path for Farrell in wine production.
During the early 1980s, Farrell recognized an untapped opportunity to produce high quality Pinot Noir from the cooler regions of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. Though many doubted great Pinot Noirs could be produced in California, Farrell began crafting wines under his own "Gary Farrell" label. His first release, a 1982 Pinot Noir produced from the Rochioli Vineyard, became the most decorated Pinot Noir of the vintage
. Similar success with subsequent vintages brought credibility to his winemaking, his wines and to the potential for Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley.
During the mid-1990s, Farrell purchased land and developed Starr Ridge and Cresta Ridge vineyards. In 1998, he constructed what many consider one of the region’s finest small-lot Pinot Noir facilities on a secluded hilltop near Healdsburg
for the production of his wines.
In 2004, Farrell sold his namesake “Gary Farrell” brand and winery to Allied Domecq
. Four years later, he sold his vineyard properties to Jeremy Baker.
In 2007, he partnered with longtime colleagues Bill Hambrecht and Denise Sanders to micro-produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay under the new Alysian label.
.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
winemaker
Winemaker
A winemaker or vintner is a person engaged in winemaking. They are generally employed by wineries or wine companies, where their work includes:*Cooperating with viticulturists...
, specializing in the production of Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes...
and Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is originated from the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand...
from Sonoma County’s
Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County, located on the northern coast of the U.S. state of California, is the largest and northernmost of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. Its population at the 2010 census was 483,878. Its largest city and county seat is Santa Rosa....
Russian River Valley. He currently produces his luxury line of wines under the Alysian (ah-liss-ee-uhn) brand, which he co-founded in 2007 with investment banker Bill Hambrecht and Denise Sanders.
Early life and education
Gary Farrell was born in Pasadena, CaliforniaPasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
on April 20, 1952.
His scholastic interests in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
and Criminal Law
Criminal law
Criminal law, is the body of law that relates to crime. It might be defined as the body of rules that defines conduct that is not allowed because it is held to threaten, harm or endanger the safety and welfare of people, and that sets out the punishment to be imposed on people who do not obey...
led him to Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University is a public, coeducational business and liberal arts college affiliated with the California State University system. The main campus is located in Rohnert Park, California, United States and lies approximately south of Santa Rosa and north of San Francisco...
in 1970. This relocation to Sonoma County placed him in the heart of one of California's most promising wine regions, and this local industry prompted a new career path for Farrell in wine production.
Career
Gary Farrell's early mentors included Joe Rochioli, Robert Stemmler, Davis Bynum and Tom Dehlinger. After several years of apprenticing, he landed his first head-winemaker position at Davis Bynum Winery in 1978. Soon thereafter, he produced inaugural releases for Rochioli Winery, Limerick Lane and Moshin Vineyards.During the early 1980s, Farrell recognized an untapped opportunity to produce high quality Pinot Noir from the cooler regions of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. Though many doubted great Pinot Noirs could be produced in California, Farrell began crafting wines under his own "Gary Farrell" label. His first release, a 1982 Pinot Noir produced from the Rochioli Vineyard, became the most decorated Pinot Noir of the vintage
Vintage
Vintage, in wine-making, is the process of picking grapes and creating the finished product . A vintage wine is one made from grapes that were all, or primarily, grown and harvested in a single specified year. In certain wines, it can denote quality, as in Port wine, where Port houses make and...
. Similar success with subsequent vintages brought credibility to his winemaking, his wines and to the potential for Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley.
During the mid-1990s, Farrell purchased land and developed Starr Ridge and Cresta Ridge vineyards. In 1998, he constructed what many consider one of the region’s finest small-lot Pinot Noir facilities on a secluded hilltop near Healdsburg
Healdsburg, California
Healdsburg is a city located in Sonoma County, California, in the United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a population of 11,254...
for the production of his wines.
In 2004, Farrell sold his namesake “Gary Farrell” brand and winery to Allied Domecq
Allied Domecq
Allied Domecq PLC was an international company, headquartered in Bristol, UK that operated spirits, wine, and quick service restaurant businesses. It was once a FTSE 100 Index constituent but has been acquired by Pernod Ricard.-History:...
. Four years later, he sold his vineyard properties to Jeremy Baker.
In 2007, he partnered with longtime colleagues Bill Hambrecht and Denise Sanders to micro-produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay under the new Alysian label.
Contributions to wine making
Gary Farrell is among a small group of California winemakers who pioneered Pinot Noir production in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley during the 1970s and 1980s. His work helped pave the way for many who followed as today multiple producers craft some of the world’s finest examples of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines from this appellationAppellation
An appellation is a legally defined and protected geographical indication used to identify where the grapes for a wine were grown; other types of food often have appellations as well...
.
External links
- http://www.alysianwines.com/
- http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/Sonoma-Pinot-Noir-Icon-Gary-Farrell-to-Start-New-Venture_3430
- http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090609/ARTICLES/906099878?tc=ar
- http://www.allbusiness.com/wholesale-trade/merchant-wholesalers-nondurable-goods-beer/701774-1.html
- http://www.princeofpinot.com/article/745/
- http://www.garyfarrellwines.com/