Grayson Cellars California

Over the last several years the wine industry has seen a change in moderately priced wines from California. First, there are fewer of them as many California wineries have raised prices leaving buyers to no longer describe many as "values". Second, many family owned wineries can no longer afford to bring their wines to market at moderate price points leaving much of this business to the larger brands. The O'Connell family, owners of Grayson Cellars believe that consumers deserve a handcrafted California wine at an everyday price. It's their passion, it's their commitment. They also believe that decades of Napa winemaking experience allows Grayson to create a better bottle of wine at a better price point than what's generally in the market today. After completing his Enology degree at UC Davis, Grayson Cellars winemaker Larry Levin spent seventeen years at Dry Creek Vineyard where, for over 18 vintages he produced more than 15 varietal wines. He has since covered the globe by making wine in New Zealand, Chile, and Australia across all price points and styles. For the previous nine years Larry was Head of Winemaking at Icon Estates where he oversaw the Franciscan, Mt. Veeder, Robert Mondavi, Estancia, Ravenswood, Quintessa and Ruffino brands. Larry also consults for wineries in the Stag's Leap and Oakville districts in Napa and Sonoma. Grayson Cellars winery is a state-of-the-art facility very near Highway 29 in Napa Valley. "It's about time Grayson Cellars receives recognition for the extraordinary bargains it is creating. There is a lot of high quality fruit available for buying and turning into wine given the hard economic hit vineyards of California have absorbed, and Grayson Cellars appears to be exploiting that to their advantage as well as to that of consumers. Winemaker Larry Levin is doing some remarkable work here, turning out wines that defy belief given their price points. Kudos to him and the owner of Grayson Cellars." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate Feb 2010

Chardonnay 2010 The 2010 Grayson Chardonnay shows aromas of bright peach and pear. The palate offers green apple with a crisp finish, showing gentle hints of apple pie and toasted french oak. The 2010 is not yet rated, but the 2009 received the following rave review: "Almost too good to be true, there are nearly 15,000 cases of the 2009 Chardonnay Lot 2, which is a naked Chardonnay offering lots of crisp, elegant, unbuttered popcorn, tropical fruit, pear and citrus blossom characteristics. This medium-bodied white possesses surprising fruit intensity and overall balance. Fresh and pure, it is ideal for drinking over the next year. " 87 points, Wine Advocate, Dec 2010

Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 The 2009 Grayson Cabernet shows a dark ruby colour with a rich nose of ripe, dark cherries, blackberries and hints of black pepper. This full bodied wine provides a round mouth feel with an intense, lingering finish with hints of toasted french oak. The 2010 is not yet reviewed, but the 2009 received the following: "Even better is the 30,000-case cuvee of 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (aged 9 months in stainless steel and neutral French oak). The "real deal," it is a velvety textured, lush, round, crowd-pleasing Cabernet revealing a dark ruby colour as well as lots of black currant and herb notes intermixed with a hint of smoke." 88 points, Wine Advocate, Dec 2010

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All wines are available by the unmixed case to Licensees and Private Consumers, subject to availability.

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