Julia Weber

9.8

Love this! Easy drinking wine — 4 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.5

Two barrels of Siduri‘s Pisoni were so special that Adam Lee bottled them separately, dedicating it to Gary’s father Eddie who died at age 90 that year. Fantastic wine , the group’s number one pick. — 5 years ago

Clifton Jackson

9.2

One of my favorite Sta. Rita Hills vineyards ... needed an hour to open up to a classic CA -style Pinot, with solid dark fruits and acid, but a little barnyard as a nod to its European heritage. 2017 vintage ... — 6 years ago

Clifton Jackson

9.1

Surprisingly earthy yet with a solid fruit core. I’ve not in general been a fan of Oregon’s Pinots, but this one will make me take a second look. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

A wine I’ve enjoyed mostly upon release or near it. I vowed to wait six years and nearly made it. At least it is 2018...just! It’s worth waiting this/that long for it to develop. On the nose; sweetly, baked fruits of; dark cherries, strawberries, black plum, plums, blackberries, and notes of blue fruits. Cinnamon, vanilla, very light clove & nutmeg, caramel, soft, medium, beautiful spice, black fruit tea, limestone minerals, loamy, dry, brown top soil, fresh dark florals and violets. The mouthfeel is full, rich & lush. The tannins are round, still have some teeth and possess velvety round edges. It’s fruit driven but not a bomb and showing elegance & grace. Fruits are perfectly ripe; dark cherries, strawberries, black plum, plums, blackberries, notes of blue fruits and dry cranberries dip in and out. Cinnamon, vanilla, very light clove & nutmeg, caramel, soft, medium beautiful spice that is more pronounced on the palate, black fruit tea, touch of melted brown sugar/molasses, limestone minerals, touch of rich dark sweet turned soil, loamy dry brown top soil, soft understated eucalyptus/mint, dry fresh florals and violets. The round acidity is just right, just a slight very small alcohol burn, the length, structure, tension and beautifully balanced finish are in a very good place. Even better in 2-3 more years in bottle; which is when I’ll have my next one. Photos of; the winemaking duo of Gary Franscioni (left) and Gary Pisoni, Rosella’s Vineyard on the right. As well as, Garys’ Vineyard at the bottom. Producer notes and history...The Santa Lucia Highlands appellation is known for its rich, vibrant Pinot Noirs. However, that wasn’t always the case. The first Pinot was planted in 1973, but results weren’t all that great. Chardonnay was the appellation’s early star. Much of the area’s current fame for Pinot Noir arguably can be traced to Gary Pisoni, a free-spirited wine enthusiast who grew up in a Salinas Valley vegetable farming family. Pisoni decided to plant a few acres of Pinot Noir in 1982 on his family’s horse ranch, at the southern end of what was to become the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation but his horses started eating the grapes. So, they had to go. His initial planting were limited by a lack of water until he dug a well on the property. Pisoni started planting even more Pinot Noir. The vineyard is now around 45 acres and nearly all of it Pinot. By the late 1990s, word had spread about the success of his vineyard, and a number of Pinot specialists from around California had started lining up to buy his grapes. He started producing his own wine in 1998. Pisoni isn’t the only Gary who has become a force in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Gary Franscioni, a childhood friend, followed Pisoni’s lead by planting grapes and started Roar Wines in 2001. The two of them now have five vineyards between them...all farmed meticulously with the same crew. They are best of friends...sort of a Mutt & Jeff. They have become a formidable presence in the Highlands, attracting interest from top winemakers and Pinot Noir lovers from all over. Franscioni is also from a vegetable farming family; Pisoni figures they’ve known each other since they were 3 or 4. Franscioni saw his friend’s success and once he got some money together, decided to plant grapes of his own. Franscioni’s property is farther north and cooler as it’s closer to the Monterey Bay. He was going to plant Chardonnay. He woke up and Franscioni recalls imitating Pisoni, and shouted, “plant Pinot!” Franscioni planted what became Rosella’s Vineyard, named for his wife, in 1996. He took Pisoni’s advice and planted four acres of Pinot Noir, although he still planted 12 acres of Chardonnay. It’s now a total of around 50 acres with three-quarters of it Pinot Noir. The next year, they decided to become partners and planted Garys’ Vineyard, a 50 acre parcel where they grow Pinot and a little Syrah. Since then, Franscioni has developed Sierra Mar, 38 acres of Pinot, Chardonnay, Syrah and a tiny amount of Viognier. The two teamed up again to establish Soberanes Vineyard, 35 acres of mostly Pinot Noir, with a little bit of Chardonnay and Syrah. That last vineyard was developed by Pisoni’s son Mark. The Garys might seem an unlikely pair. Pisoni is colorful character to say the least and has an outspoken manner. Franscioni comes across as more serious- minded. However, the collaboration between the two, who often address each other as “partner,” clearly works well. The two are good on their own, but better together. Pisoni being more gregarious acts as the frontman. He is the Ambassador. He’s a check on the rest to keep the quality high. Franscioni and Mark Pisoni run the farming on their own vineyards and work together on the joint ventures. The family involvement doesn’t stop there. Jeff Pisoni makes his family’s wines, which are under the Pisoni and Lucia brands. Franscioni’s son, Adam, joined the family business in time for the 2011 harvest. He handles sales for Roar and helps his father manage the vineyards. The grapes from all five vineyards are in huge demand, because the two families are such careful farmers, constantly tweaking and improving. Prominent customers include; Testarossa, Siduri, Kosta Browne, Copain and Bernardus. When a new vintner approaches them about buying grapes, the partners examine the winery’s track record and the Winemaker. If they like what they see, the winery is put on a waiting list. There’s not very much movement in their vineyards. When Franscioni planted Sierra Mar, he and Pisoni had 62 wineries waiting to buy fruit. Soberanes was developed with the idea of working with some new winemakers. There was some concern, even among the two families, that quality might suffer as the vineyard operations grew. However, there’s no indication that’s the case. In fact, with each new venture, they build on what they’ve learned in their older vineyards. Eventually, there will be even more vineyards. The Pisonis and Franscionis have purchased a 100 acre cactus farm in the Santa Lucia Highlands. There’s still a lease on the property. So, prickly pear cactus will continue to be grown for five more years. But at some point, the land will be planted with vines. Both families understand the importance of continuing to build for the future. The Garys looking back tell a story of being in the same spot some years ago and looking at a field of broccoli out back. He told Franscioni that the field would look a lot better with Pinot Noir vines. Now that parcel is part of Rosella’s Vineyard, and it’s planted with Pinot. Everybody thought he was crazy...most people usually think that when someone makes a bold decision. He’s a person who has always had vision and creativeness. He also has tremendous passion. Good things only happen when a person possesses all three of these qualities. Their wines are primarily available by mailing list. However, Nepenthe in Big Sur, CA acts as a quasi tasting room for some of their wines. — 8 years ago

Jason Keefer

9.2

Really elegant and silky Sonoma Pinot that isn’t over the top cherry cola! — 4 years ago

Steve

9.3

Very nice, smooth. Not complex but easy drinking — 6 years ago

Tim L

9.2

Ditto to Zena Crown... — 6 years ago

Pablo Garcia

9.1

Sweet dark cherries on a smooth medium body wine. Perhaps it should have been drunk before because this one feels monolithic and simple even though it is pleasant — 6 years ago

John Willison

9.1

Dark berry, black licorice, earthy, and a bit of menthol. Berry compote finish. — 8 years ago

with RobPITSKO, Ken and 1 other

Randmaster Flash

9.6

Dark and jammy — 8 years ago

John Willison

8.9

Pale gold color. Ripe yellow fruit, a slight bit of heat and petrol on the nose. Honeyed yellow fruit, over ripe melon, and slight minerality. — 9 years ago

Jean Kellams

9.1

This stuff is great. Thank you, Wassy!! — 9 years ago

Matt Sterr

8.9

Crispy chard. — 4 years ago

John Fiehrer

9.0

Super light color, lots of cherries and some forest earth going on and still lots of zip — 5 years ago

John Hebert

9.4

Another great Siduri Pinot. All of their various offerings are good but Zena Crown is near the top. Great wine. — 6 years ago

Gil Krakowsky

9.3

Definitively a California wine, but such an incredibly balanced version of that. Certainly not shy. Heady and somewhat extracted notes of raspberry jam, candied roses, clove, some dried strawberries, clean mineral Notes. But also finishes with a surprising Salinic spine. Texture is definitely dense, viscous and almost thick, but still refreshing acidity at the finish. This is just a complete wine and an excellent benchmark version if it’s terroir. Aging incredibly but may be at peak — 7 years ago

John Willison

8.9

Bright burgundy color. Bright cherry. Licorice root. Bright red fruit finish. — 8 years ago

with RobPITSKO, Ken and 1 other

Randmaster Flash

8.9

Bright with lots of cherry; easy to drink — 9 years ago

John Padilla

9.5

This is fantastically delicious. Love Siduri. — 9 years ago