“Working with a wine brand that has a loyal following like Gary Farrell has its advantages, admits winemaker Theresa Heredia… but maintaining relevance and innovation while preserving more than 40 years of heritage and identity is a balancing act.” – Wine Spectator

One more off the bucket list today, Ops!

We adore our “firsts” here on Wine Spies. No, not Gary Farrell, though all we could source from them to date was a pallet a decade ago.

This is the very first ROCHIOLI on a label for us.

A Wine Spectator spotlight just last month claims that “four generations in, the Rochioli family has earned its spot among Sonoma’s wine legends.”

Which explains why, besides the family’s own, only FIVE other wineries get fruit from them to bottle single-vineyard wines bearing this vaunted name. Williams Selyem and Ramey to name a few. The latter being the only other winery that gets Chardonnay fruit from Rochioli. You basically won’t find a wine out there with that name on it under $75.

Did you see our price? This must be a dream.

What a legacy duo. Feels like A New Hope, casting the late and great Alec Guinness to play the immortal Obi-Wan Kenobi. Got that, Star Wars fans? While George Lucas and Alec Guinness were in Tunisia and Guatemala filming that classic in 1976, winemaker Gary Ferrell and grower Joe Rochioli Jr. shook hands to collaborate for the first time. It’s that bond we owe this wine to today, because it’s nearly impossible for anyone to get their hands on Rochioli fruit these days.

Decanter explains, “Before the Russian River Valley was officially recognized as one of Sonoma County’s distinguished AVAs, Gary Farrell was pioneering in partnership with some of the region’s most esteemed growers: Rochioli, Allen, and others. It is these long-term vineyard relationships that have built the sturdy foundation for Gary Farrell’s celebrated portfolio… Extensive grower relationships remain mission-critical to producing the consistent, balanced, elegant wines that consumers have come to expect and adore. Maintaining outstanding relationships with growers is a top priority for the Gary Farrell team, and as proof of loyal partnership, the name of each grower appears front and center on all single-vineyard labels in complete collaboration with the winery name - a testimony to the teamwork, dedication, and shared contributions of both players. Steering the winemaking team, Theresa Heredia joined Gary Farrell as head winemaker in 2012, and has since been championing Farrell’s initial vision of experimenting and showcasing specific vineyard site expression and winemaking techniques that give voice to diverse terroir-driven character.”

Secure all of this beauty you can afford, then catch the rest of that intricate and extraordinary story here.

The tension, the minerality, the tropicality, the intensity, the complexity. BENCHMARK stuff really. Just 93 points Wine Enthusiast? Really?! Does not even begin! Take our word and put up any great California Chardonnay, or dare I say even great white Burgundy against it for fun, you’ll be amazed. After all, it was Robert Parker himself who went on record for claiming that a previous vintage “really does taste something like a Chevalier-Montrachet, or even a Montrachet, as hard as that may be for Francophiles to believe.”

Wait, THAT kinda wine for $29?! Very limited, so we have another surprise lined up when this sells out.

93 Points – Wine Enthusiast “Steely in green apple, pear and Meyer lemon, this is a balanced and light wine, aged nine months in French oak, only 35% of it new. A lightness of baking spice and toasted notes add to a rich mouthfeel that complements fresh acidity.”