Santé included Gary Farrell Winery 2017 Russian River Pinot Noir in its weekly round up of recommended wines to try. Writer Roger Morris describes the wine as
medium-bodied with somewhat tangy cherry fruit and considerable spiciness; leaner than most Sonoma Pinots. Read the full story HERE

Lifestyle blog We Are Travel Girls highlighted a weekend experience in Sonoma, including an experience at Gary Farrell Winery. Their pro tip for visiting the winery? Make a reservation in advance. Writer Vanessa Rivers notes that Gary Farrell has both “amazing” Chardonnay and breathtaking views of the Russian River Valley. Read the full piece HERE

The Boston Herald highlighted Gary Farrell Winery in its latest wine column, recommending the 2017 Russian River Valley Selection Pinot Noir. Writer Jim Campanini explains the grapes “were sourced and hand-sorted from seven top vineyards (the legendary Rochioli Vineyard is one) situated along the Russian River’s 110-mile journey to the sea.  Little of 2017’s chaos affected winemaker Theresa Heredia, who has crafted a superb, velvety pinot noir that she says captures ‘the voice of the valley’ for balance and elegance.” He closes out his review by describing how “the beautiful garnet color and crisp raspberry and cherry-cola notes won me over.” Read the full write up HERE.

Dave McIntyre’s latest column in The Washington Post explores how consumers can experience a similar character and style of wine found in some of the world’s benchmark wines – think Bordeaux first growths, Burgundy’s grands crus, Italy’s top “super Tuscans,” and Napa cult cabernets –  without breaking the bank as much.  He provides strategies to navigate this quest, and includes both Chateau Montelena and Gary Farrell Winery as two wineries to look out for. **This story was also syndicated to SFGate and The Telegraph.**

One of his tips is to focus on the appellations you’re interested in, and find smaller districts. “Want to explore Napa cabernet sauvignon? Chateau Montelena, a venerable estate, makes a Napa Valley cabernet that sells for about $50. The estate cabernet, from the winery’s vineyards near Calistoga in northern Napa Valley, costs up to three times that.”  He continues, “Pinot noir is notable for expressing the flavor of the place where it’s grown, and winemakers love exploring these nuances…In Sonoma County, look for Gary Farrell Vineyard’s Russian River Selection. If you like it, consider ordering some of the winery’s single-vineyard wines from Hallberg or Rochioli vineyards.” Read the full story HERE

VinePair reviewed the Gary Farrell Winery 2017 Russian River Selection Pinot Noir, awarding it with an “A” rating. The write up offers high praise, explaining, “This is how it’s done! This wine is such a great example of why Russian River Pinot Noir fans lose their minds sipping bottles like this one. The balance is impeccable.” Read the full review and detailed tasting notes HERE

VinePair awarded the Gary Farrell Winery 2016 Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir with an “A+” rating, declaring that “it is one of the most beautiful Pinot Noir wines from America currently on the market.” Keith Beavers makes a lot of great comments made in this review, including “what is important is that this wine will physically affect you. It’s chewy, soft, supple and just soaks into your palate. Your endorphins will fire off, and you’ll swoon.” Read the full write up HERE

Terroirist reviewed the Gary Farrell Winery 2017 Olivet Lane Chardonnay, awarding it with a 92 Point rating. The wine has much to offer, the review details “Wow, what a pretty, inviting nose… The palate is plump but precise and focused with crisp fruit and a host of racy, nuanced qualities…” Read the full review and detailed tasting notes HERE

Bigger Than Your Head blogger Frederic Koeppel highlighted the Gary Farrell Winery 2017 Russian River Selection Pinot Noir in a recent post, awarding it an “excellent” rating. His detailed description jumps off the page as if you can taste the wine in the glass, where he adds that it has “lovely weight and balance, silky and lithe on the palate; the finish adds tobacco leaf, briers and brambles; a sense of purpose wedded to ineffable elegance.” Read his full review HERE

Forbes columnist Tom Hyland featured Gary Farrell Winery in his latest column on new California releases, describing the winery as “one of my favorite producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir anywhere in California.” He offers context that while Gary Farrell is not personally involved anymore, winery Theresa Heredia “has continued crafting beautiful offerings of these Burgundian varietals…” He notes the 2017 Russian River Selection Chardonnay has “excellent overall balance, good acidity and impressive complexity,”and the 2017 Russian River Selection Pinot Noir “offers textbook Pinot Noir flavors, and has good acidity, medium-weight, elegant tannins, very good length in the finish and is nicely balanced.” Read his full write up HERE

VinePair reviewed the Chateau Montelena Estate Zinfandel 2016, awarding it with an “A” rating. The write up offers high praise, explaining, “The balance in this wine is incredible…It has intense, taut fruit with a mild viscous nature you just want to chew on. The aromas are earthy (forest in fall), savory (aged balsamic) and fruity (blackberry and plum) all at once, with an amazing acidity spreading out to keep everything in balance. ” Read the full review and detailed tasting notes HERE