Fra Wikipidia:
Gary Farrell's early mentors included Joe Rochioli, Robert Stemmler, Davis Bynum and Tom Dehlinger. After several years of apprenticing, he landed his first head-winemaker position at Davis Bynum Winery in 1978. Soon thereafter, he produced inaugural releases for Rochioli Winery, Limerick Lane and Moshin Vineyards.
During the early 1980s, Farrell recognized an untapped opportunity to produce high quality Pinot Noir from the cooler regions of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. Though many doubted great Pinot Noirs could be produced in California, Farrell began crafting wines under his own "Gary Farrell" label. His first release, a 1982 Pinot Noir produced from the Rochioli Vineyard, became the most decorated Pinot Noir of the vintage. Similar success with subsequent vintages brought credibility to his winemaking, his wines and to the potential for Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley.
During the mid-1990s, Farrell purchased land and developed Starr Ridge and Cresta Ridge vineyards. In 1998, he constructed what many consider one of the region’s finest small-lot Pinot Noir facilities on a secluded hilltop near Healdsburg for the production of his wines.
In 2004, Farrell sold his namesake “Gary Farrell” brand and winery to Allied Domecq. Four years later, he sold his vineyard properties to Jeremy Baker.
In 2007, he partnered with longtime colleagues Bill Hambrecht and Denise Sanders to micro-produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay under the new Alysian label.
Gary Farrell sold his very successful “namesake” brand in 2004 with ambitions of “returning to his roots” as a true artisan producer of extremely limited production Pinot Noir wines. In 2007, he partnered with longtime colleagues, Bill Hambrecht and Denise Sanders, to create the ideal winemaking environment for the production of small lot, ultra-premium wines from the cooler reaches of the Russian River Valley. Consistent with Gary’s “no compromise” approach, he equipped his new Westside Road (Healdsburg) facility with the finest tools obtainable; precisely what we would expect from the winemaker who promises to “eclipse” anything he has previously produced during his three decades of winemaking.
The Wines
Pinot Noir is the clear focus of this brand, but tiny lots of Chardonnay will also be released under the Alysian label. Gary will remain true to his “signature style” of winemaking by producing fully flavored, acutely balanced wines with a keen focus on elegance and structural integrity. Though critics often reward wines expressing excessive density, extract and alcohol, Gary continues to refute this style, favoring a more sophisticated, structurally correct and age-worthy approach to winemaking. By sourcing grapes that ripen (and reach flavor maturity) at lower sugar levels, Gary is able to produce fully flavored wines possessing lower alcohols and higher natural acidity; resulting in vibrant wines that cellar well and are great companions with food.
“Alysian” (of Greek origin) refers to an endeavor arising from intuitive creativity and artistic resolution. Our logo is an ancient mark, commonly referencing a return to one’s center or beginning. Others suggest a far simpler translation; “the journey.”
The Vineyards:
In addition to the obvious contributions of veteran winemaker Gary Farrell, the Alysian wines will have another clear and distinct advantage over most other brands… access to the finest, most reputable vineyards in the Russian River Valley. Gary was one of the very first winemakers to specialize in Russian River Valley Pinot Noir during the mid-1980′s, and his long standing relationships with the region’s most elite growers will result in designated wines from Rochioli, Allen, Starr Ridge, Cresta Ridge, Hallberg and Floodgate vineyards. |
|  |
| Pris: 250,00 DKK |
 Though our 2009 Russian River Selection Chardonnay is a blended wine from three very different and distinct properties, it should never be considered a “lesser wine” to our single vineyard offerings. It was crafted from three most coveted Chardonnay properties…all of which we also use for vineyard designated wines.
Through careful blending, we were able to compose a wine that seamlessly integrates the many complimenting nuances of multiple clones and terriors into one single bottling.
By example, clones 76 and 95 (Floodgate Vineyard and Cresta Ridge) contribute tremendous bright acidity, crisp citrus fruit and a proud stature, while Clone 4 (Westside Farms) fills out the mid-palate with depth, richness and wonderful accents of honey, pear and apricot.
Many would consider the blend of these components superior to any individual component tasted alone. |
|
|
|
| Pris: 320,00 DKK |
 We are extremely pleased to present our very first Westside Farms Chardonnay produced under the Alysian label.
Though new to Alysian, this is certainly not a new vineyard for our winemaker Gary Farrell.
In fact, he produced designated wines from this vineyard under his namesake brand for nearly 20 years.
Gary considers the Chardonnay from Westside Farms to be “of benchmark quality and status”; with a fruit profile so pure and regionally correct, it sets the standard for what (in his opinion) other Russian River Valley Chardonnays should strive to be. |
|
|
|
| Pris: 234,00 DKK |
 Purchased and developed by Gary & Debbie Farrell in 1999, Cresta Ridge Vineyard is highly coveted for its cool, Green Valley location and highly desirable Goldridge soils. The “no expense spared” approach to development, included matching devigorating rootstocks with low-yielding clones and close vine-spacing; “stressing” the plants into producing small quantities of very high quality fruit. This project has proven successful, with 90+ rated wines commonplace year after year from this vineyard. Gary selected fruit from his favorite section of the vineyard (Taurin) Block) for this release.
VINEYARDS AND CLONES
Cresta Ridge Vineyard – Taurin Block Dijon clones 76 and 95
HARVEST INFORMATION
Harvest date: August 30 Hand harvest at 6:00 AM Hand sorted in vineyard Average brix: 24.1 degrees
GRAPE PROCESSING
Cold fruit processed early AM Hand sorted prior to pressing
FERMENTATION
100% barrel fermented 50% ML fermentation (in barrel) Yeast: Four cultured strains Duration: 12 days
BARREL PROGRAM
100% French oak Francois Freres, Rousseau 40% new 60% one and two year old 10 months in barrel
FINISHED WINE
Alcohol: 14.1% by volume Titratable acidity: 7.05 gm/L pH: 3.47 Bottling date: July 24, 2009 Production: 378 cases (9 liter equivalent)
|
|
|
|
| Pris: 246,00 DKK |
 Our appellation designate wines are carefully crafted blends from our very finest vineyard properties. Through clonal and geographic diversity, our winemaker combines the nuances from multiple cuvees, creating levels of intrigue and complexity not typically obtainable from a single vineyard source. Always among our favorite releases, this wine was graced by what many consider the finest Russian River Valley vintage in over two decades.
VINEYARDS AND CLONES
Floodgate RRV Vineyard: Martini clone 13, Dijon clones 667, 777 Rochioli Vineyard: Pommard clone 4, Dijon clone 115 Allen Vineyard: Dijon clone 777 Starr Ridge Vineyard: Dijon clones 115, 777 Hallberg Vineyard: Dijon clones 777, 828 Toboni Vineyard: Dijon clones 667, 777
HARVEST INFORMATION
Harvest dates: 8/19 - 9/5 Hand harvested at night under lights Hand sorted in vineyard Average brix: 24.2 degrees
GRAPE PROCESSING
Cold fruit processed early AM Hand sorted prior to stem removal Hand sorted after stem removal
FERMENTATION
Tanks: Small open tops Cold soak: 3-5 days Yeast: Wild and cultured Mixing: 3 punch downs daily Duration: 9-11 days
BARREL PROGRAM
100% French oak Francois Freres, Rousseau 45% new ML fermentation in barrel 10 months in barrel
FINISHED WINE
Alcohol: 14.2% by volume Titratable acidity: 6.7 gm/L pH: 3.44 Bottling date: July 16, 2008 Production: 1,524 cases (9 liter equivalent)
|
|
|
|
| Pris: 325,00 DKK |
 Bill and Sally Hambrecht purchased this Forestville property in 1999. It is located in an area of Russian River Valley referred to as the “Middle Reach,” where the regions most prestigious vineyards reside. The West Block (planted in the early-1970′s) is one of the oldest known plantings of pinot noir in California. Though producing less than one ton per acre, winemaker Gary Farrell insists the vineyard be preserved… not only for its historical significance, but the astounding quality and impeccable structure of wines produced from these thirty five year old vines.
|
|
|
|
| Pris: 400,00 DKK |
 When researching the history of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, there is no more recogniz- able, admired or envied grower than Joe Rochioli. So many have set out to rival his success, but all have fallen short. My relation- ship with him (and access to his grapes) has been the single most important contributor to my success in the wine industry. Considering only Williams Selyem, Gary Farrell, Rochioli and Alysian wineries receive Pinot Noir alloca- tions from his vineyard, we are indeed fortunate and grateful for Joe’s commitment to our new Alysian brand.
|
|
|