Peter Michael California Wine Chardonnay Pinot Cabernet Sauvignon

Peter Michael was founded in 1982 with the purchase of 630 acres of volcanic ridges in the Knights Valley appellation. The following year, they began planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet franc and Petit Verdot.  In 1987, they hired Helen Turley as their winemaker.  Their debut wine is still in production today, Mon Plaisir.

 

The family has continued to increase their holdings. In 1998 they obtained 400 acres in the Sonoma Coast. This was followed by another acquisition in 2009 of a 41-acre parcel overlooking the east side of Napa’s Oakville appellation. These new holdings are planted to Bordeaux varietals.  

 

Helen Turley was not the only famous winemaker hired by Peter Michael. At various times, Mark Aubert, Vanessa Wong, Luc Morlet and Nicolas Morlet were employed by the estate. 

 

All wines are fermented using only indigenous yeast. Malolactic fermentation is only aided by native yeasts as well  For the white wines, the fruit is hand sorted at the whole cluster level before pressing. White wines are barrel fermented and aged on their lees.

 

For the red wines, the berries are sorted 3 three times, first by hand at the cluster level and twice are being destemmed. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in tanks before being transferred to barrels for malolactic fermentation. The wines are aged in French oak. The amount of new oak varies from vintage to vintage. 

 

The estate produces several different Chardonnay wines as well as a plethora of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon based wines.  Of their vast Chardonnay portfolio, Point Rouge is their top wine.