Drake Wines

Bien Nacido Vineyard

Named one of the top twenty-five vineyards in the world by Wine and Spirits Magazine, Bien Nacido Vineyard ("noble birth") truly lives up to its name with over 300 acres of sought after winegrapes. I have worked with the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from this vineyard for fifteen years, and was fortunate to receive my allocated rows inside coveted blocks two years ago.

Chris "Death or Destruction" Hammell is not only the fabled vineyard manager of this fine vineyard, but boasts an impressive record in competitive jujitsu fighting, handing out "international beatdowns" at professional tournaments. Tag-teaming with Chris, I work closely with the original own rooted Pinot Noir of blocks H, N, and Q, planted in 1973, putting sleeper holds on the gnarled veterans to restrict their vegetative growth and promote concentrated flavors in the grapes and resulting wine.

You can learn more about Bien Nacido from their website: www.biennacidovineyards.com

Le Gallet Vineyard

The Le Gallet Vineyard is a specific hillside site inside the Laetitia Vineyard at the mouth of the Arroyo Grande Valley. Meaning "stones" in French, the Les Gallet Vineyard possesses a high concentration of calcareous rock that dots the west facing hillside rising above the Pacific Ocean. The Pinot Noir grown in blocks V1 and V2 on the hillside gives life to wines with ethereal elegance and deep complexity.

To visit the vineyard's website click here: www.laetitiawine.com

Siletto Ranch

Due east over the coastal range from Steinbeck's Long Valley, and halfway down the highway built by Spanish Missionaries and adored by Hell's Angels, the Siletto family vineyards send roots deep into the calcarious soils of San Benito.

These unique limestone soils and warm Mediterranean climate make a ideal site for growing Viognier, a grape traditionally grown in the northern Rhone river valley in southern France. Wine industry veteran Ron Siletto planted the vineyard in the late eighties, and continues to farm the vineyard sustainably today. The wines express a unique allspice character and a flinty minerality on the finish, lending a site specific expression from vintage to vintage.