Lot #56 WILLIAMS SELYEM, ROCHIOLI VINEYARDS AND WINERY, GARY FARRELL VINEYARDS & WINERY

The success of the Russian River Valley could not be possible without the pioneering spirit of Joe Rochioli Jr., who was the first grower to plant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay along the idyllic Westside Road, in Healdsburg, CA, in the late 1960s. The Rochioli Vineyard is stunning and has a tremendous track record for producing wines of power and elegance, owing to the coolness of climate, well drained soils, and modest temperatures. Burt Williams, the founder and winemaker for Williams Selyem, and Gary Farrell, the original proprietor of Gary Farrell Winery, took notice of the excellent quality of Joe’s grapes and are now considered ‘pioneers of the time’ for putting the Rochioli name on their wine labels as a vineyard-designate circa 1982.

Tom Rochioli, Joe’s son and current winemaker for Rochioli Winery, started making wine for the J. Rochioli Vineyards and Winery in 1985 and released their first estate bottling soon thereafter to much acclaim. It is an honor to collaborate and present the “The Legend: Joe Rochioli Jr.” bottling from the 2022 vintage which is an equal part blend of the Rochioli Vineyard historic River Block from Gary Farrell, Rochioli, and Williams Selyem.

In remembrance, this lot is our vinified tribute to the hard work, vision, inspiration, and legacy of Joe Rochioli, Jr. (1934-2022) with a wine that is profoundly special to us and the relationship we continue to cultivate with the next generation. Like Joe, it can never be replicated, just celebrated.

WINEMAKER(S): Jeff Mangahas (Williams Selyem), Tom Rochioli (Rochioli Vineyards and Winery), Theresa Heredia (Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery)

ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: March 2023
ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: December 2023

National Distribution: AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, ME, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY

International Distribution: Includes Japan, Korea, Norway; please inquire for additional countries.