Owned by Gary and Rosella Franscioni, Sierra Mar Vineyard is planted on land that has been in their family for three generations. Meaning “Mountain Sea” in Spanish, Sierra Mar sits at just over 1,000 feet and is one of the highest altitude vineyards in Santa Lucia Highlands. This high-elevation site features decomposed granite and gravelly loam soils with a maritime climate shaped by strong coastal winds from Monterey Bay — foggy mornings with sunny, breezy afternoons keep the southeast-facing slopes significantly cooler than the Salinas Valley just east. Miner Family’s first vintage from the site was 2010.

Sierra Mar, at just over 1,000 feet elevation, offers naturally thin soils that pave the way for low yields of highly intense fruit. This powerful wine offers dark fruit and violet aromas with a smooth, toasted oak finish.