As proprietor of ROAR Wines, Rosella’s Vineyard, and partner in The Garys’ Vineyard, in the cooler north end of the appellation, Gary Franscioni is certainly at the forefront of the reputation of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Sierra Mar Vineyard is his newest project, and one very dear to him. The property has been in his family for three generations, and it occupies a perfect location at the warmer south end of the SLH, at an elevation of 950 feet, near Pisoni Vineyard. Facing slightly more to the east, it receives a bit more of the afternoon sea breeze and is therefore a few degrees cooler on average than Pisoni.

This mountainside property consists of exceptionally well drained gravelly soil – containing a high percentage of decomposed granite. Even as a young vineyard, dedication to low yields, careful irrigation, and canopy management is engaging the site’s vast potential; thanks to Gary, who is a meticulous and ruthless grower in his quest to grow the very finest grapes. We endeavor to put those traits into our impassioned pursuit of great wine.

The aromas and flavors of the 2009 Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir focus mainly on fresh cherries, plums, and vanillin with smaller, supporting notes of licorice and black pepper. Overall, the structure of the wine is broad and pleasing, with just a gentle tightening on the finish from a small amount of fine-grained tannin.