The Winemaker

 

Winemaker, Gary Farrell

Gary left the Southern California “beach scene” in 1971 to continue his education at Sonoma State University. His attraction to the local wine industry led to relationships with Russian River Valley pioneers Tom Dehlinger, Joe Rochioli, Davis Bynum and Robert Stemmler. After several years of apprenticeship, Gary took his first “winemaker” position at Davis Bynum Winery in 1978 and shortly thereafter simultaneously produced the inaugural wines for Rochioli Winery, Limerick Lane, Moshin Vineyards and others.

Winemaking became more than just a job for Gary; indeed, it had become a true passion and career choice. While local producers focused on Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, Gary’s interests from “day one” were clearly focused on Pinot Noir. He saw amazing “untapped potential” for this varietal in the Russian River Valley, and set out to prove his theory by launching (his own) Pinot Noir focused brand. His first release, the 1982 “Gary Farrell” Pinot Noir from Rochioli Vineyard, went on to be one of the most decorated wines of the vintage. Similar successes with subsequent vintages quickly established Gary Farrell as one of California’s premier producers of Pinot Noir wines.

Gary slowly and methodically increased production of his brand, and in 1998 began construction on what many (today) consider one of the regions finest Pinot Noir production facilities. He continued to grow the business and eventually sold his very successful “namesake” brand and winery in 2004, with hopes to “return to his roots” as a producer of tiny lots of Pinot Noir from the regions finest vineyards.

Gary’s new project, Alysian Wines (Ah-liss-ee-uhn), has an annual production of 4000 cases. “Just right” says Gary, enabling him to remain connected to his love of winemaking, while also enjoying other passions such as golf, travel and car collecting. Wines produced will include Russian River Valley appellation wines as well as vineyard designates from such notable producers as Rochioli, Allen, Floodgate, Hallberg and Singler.