Gary Farrell was a quiet pioneer of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. In 1978 Davis Bynum hired him to take over the winemaking at Bynum's winery, where in 1973 Bynum had made the first designated single-vineyard Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, from Rochioli grapes. Farrell built relationships with Joe Rochioli, Tom Dehlinger, and Robert Stemmler that shaped his sensibility, and his first wine under the Gary Farrell label came in 1982. Eighteen years later, in 2000, he opened an architecturally stunning glass-walled winery on a high hillside above Westside Road with sweeping valley views, a tasting destination from day one. Since 2011 the winery has been owned by Bill Price's Vincraft Group, joining Price's collection that also includes Kistler, Three Sticks, and the Durell and Gap's Crown vineyards.
Russian River Selection Pinot Noir: the flagship blend, drawn from top Middle Reach and Green Valley sites like Rochioli, Bacigalupi, and Hallberg.
Rochioli Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley: from the historic Rochioli River Block; one of the estate's most coveted single-vineyard bottlings.
Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley: cool, foggy Green Valley fruit with striking purity and silky texture.
Rochioli Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley: a sumptuous, age-worthy white of Meyer lemon and cling peach.
Russian River Selection Chardonnay: the appellation white in founder Gary Farrell's fresh, balanced style.
Winemaker Brent McKoy, in the cellar here since 2005, leads the winemaking today with a focus on precision, elegance, and minimalism. The portfolio is a négociant program in Burgundy's spirit: small-lot single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay built on decades-long sourcing agreements with Russian River Valley growers, from a roster including Rochioli, Allen, Bacigalupi, Hallberg, Ritchie, Durell, and Gap's Crown. The hilltop tasting room overlooks the Russian River and is open daily from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with reservations encouraged and same-day visits arranged by phone. The Discovery Tasting Flight is poured outdoors on the patio, the Behind the Cellar Door Private Tour & Tasting goes deeper into the cellar, and through October 31 guests can reserve A Picnic with a View at The Overlook and bring their own food.
