{"title":"Peter Michael Winery","description":"\u003cp\u003eEstablished in 1983 on the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas Mountains, Peter Michael Winery is a highly regarded producer known for its diverse range of terroir-driven wines and its dedication to the individuals who operate the winery. When founding the eponymously-titled estate, Sir Peter Michael envisioned a property that would remain under his family's stewardship for over a century. As promised, the winery remains in the hands of the next generation, Paul and Emily Michael, with plans to pass it down to one of their three children. Their shared commitment to the winery extends beyond ownership, ensuring those responsible for the hands-on winemaking process operate at the highest caliber.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCurrent winemaker Robert Fiore is a talented new addition to the team who is cherished for his skills as a geophysicist. Fiore comes on the heels of a distinguished list of winemaking gurus, such as Helen Turley, Mark Aubert, and the Morlet brothers, Nicolas and Luc. This impressive series of talented winemakers has ensured only the finest wines represent the Peter Michael name and the grapes themselves can demonstrate heir sense of place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeter Michael Winery's diverse portfolio showcases a range of styles from various terroirs throughout Napa and Sonoma, highlighting the winery's ability to cultivate different grape varieties and craft expressive, high-quality wines. Among the most celebrated offerings is the Au Paradis Cabernet Sauvignon, which aptly translates to \"In Heaven.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003ePeter Michael Vineyards\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeter Michael Winery boasts a diverse collection of estate vineyards across Napa and Sonoma counties, each contributing unique characteristics to their acclaimed wines. The Knights Valley estate, situated at high elevations on the volcanic slopes of Mount St. Helena, is home to the \u003cstrong\u003eLes Pavots\u003c\/strong\u003e vineyard, which produces the flagship Bordeaux-style blend, 'Peter Michael Les Pavots.' The Mon Plaisir, Belle Côte, and Ma Belle-Fille vineyards, also located in Knights Valley, are dedicated to Chardonnay and showcase the variety's versatility. In the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, the Seaview vineyard yields exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thanks to its cool, coastal influences. The Oakville estate in Napa Valley, home to the Au Paradis vineyard, produces a standout Cabernet Sauvignon that exemplifies the region's signature style. Together, these diverse sites enable Peter Michael Winery to craft a wide range of bottlings, including the L'Esprit des Pavots and L'Après-Midi blends, the Le Moulin Rouge Pinot Noir, and the L'Après-Midi, Coeur à Coeur, and Clos du Ciel single-vineyard Chardonnays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePeter Michael Au Paradis\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cb\u003eAu Paradis\u003c\/b\u003e vineyard is located in the prestigious \u003cb\u003eOakville\u003c\/b\u003e American Viticultural Area (AVA) within the Napa Valley. Oakville is renowned for its ideal grape-growing conditions, and it is home to some of Napa Valley's most celebrated wineries. The Cabernet Franc from this area grows right next to the famous \u003cb\u003eMaya\u003c\/b\u003e wine of \u003cb\u003eDalla Valle\u003c\/b\u003e. The combination of climate, soil, and exposure in this region creates an environment conducive to producing exceptional wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most distinctive features of the \u003cstrong\u003eAu Paradis\u003c\/strong\u003e vineyard is its soil. The terroir is characterized by \"rocky red Boomer loam,\" a soil type that has weathered from volcanic rock, clay, silt, and sand. This soil imparts a distinct mineral quality to the grapes and adds to the depth and complexity of the wines. Great wines are born from great soils, and Au Paradis exemplifies this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003ePeter Michael History: Sir Peter Michael - From Tech Entrepreneur to Winemaker\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeter Michael's journey to becoming a revered vintner is nothing short of remarkable. With a background in technology and the founding of the digital picture company Quantel in the UK, he arrived in California during the early days of the Silicon Valley tech boom. While it was a world apart from his tech ventures, he soon found himself drawn to the world of winemaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSir Peter's education and early fascination with wine began alongside his father in the vineyards of Bordeaux and Burgundy. However, it was during a performance by Peggy Lee at the Fairmont Hotel in California that the seeds of inspiration for Peter Michael Winery were sown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn that evening in San Francisco, Sir Peter and his colleagues shared a Chardonnay that would later make history in the Judgment of Paris competition, surpassing the finest wines of France. This transformative experience not only reshaped his European perspective on exceptional wines but also kindled a burning passion within him to craft terroir-driven wines of unparalleled quality, as rich and unique as the California soil itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1982, Peter and his wife Margaret embarked on their vinous adventure. Their journey commenced with the purchase of a stunning property in the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/grandcruliquidassets.com\/blogs\/news\/a-guide-to-napa-valleys-avas\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKnights Valley AVA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, perched at a lofty elevation of up to 2,000 feet above sea level. This higher altitude creates cooler growing temperatures, which yield wines with an elegant old-world style. Their winery released its first vintage in 1987, marking the beginning of a remarkable legacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e“When I looked at the creek, looked at the mountain, listened to the noise of the birds, I thought this is the most extraordinary place on earth. But I couldn’t have imagined just how well it would work and how lucky I was to have found it.” – P.M.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeter Michael Winery is a family-owned estate and is now run by Peter's son, Paul, and his wife, Emily. Their dedication to preserving the winery's heritage and commitment to producing world-class wines has been unwavering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRobert Fiore, the winemaker, brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the land. After fostering his knowledge in France and smaller Napa wineries, he spent three years working with Tim \u003cb\u003eMondavi\u003c\/b\u003e as part of the small winemaking team creating \u003cb\u003eContinuum Estate\u003c\/b\u003e wines in 2016. His geological background and passion for terroir-driven winemaking make him a perfect fit for the Peter Michael team.\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eExceeding Critical Acclaim\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotably, three of Peter Michael's wines have ranked in the top 10 of Wine Spectator's Top 100 list, and since the 1995 vintage, an impressive 14 wines have received ratings of 98 points or higher from the renowned wine critic Robert Parker. But the excellence of Peter Michael wines has extended beyond the wine world. Peter Michael Chardonnay, in particular, was served at the White House in 1991 during a dinner honoring Nelson Mandela. This was just the beginning, as their wines graced White House dinners on several other occasions, including a notable one in 1997 honoring Queen Elizabeth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003ePursuit of Excellence\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeter Michael Winery, with its extraordinary journey from the tech world to the terroir, embodies the pursuit of excellence and a deep appreciation for the California land. The \u003cb\u003eAu Paradis\u003c\/b\u003e series, with its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, showcases the fusion of tradition and innovation, resulting in wines that are \u003cb\u003etruly heavenly\u003c\/b\u003e. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, \u003cb\u003ePeter Michael's Au Paradis\u003c\/b\u003e Wines offer a taste of paradise that is sure to leave a lasting impression.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"peter-michael-ma-danseuse-pinot-noir-2012-750ml","title":"2012 Peter Michael, Pinot Noir, Ma Danseuse, Bottle (750ml)","description":"RP100 \"The compelling 2012 Pinot Noir Ma Danseuse (1,480 cases) is even better than the 2013. Notes of lead pencil shavings, DRC-like forest floor, black raspberry, blackcurrant, Asian plum sauce, rose petal and sweet cherry characteristics are found in this spectacular, multidimensional, prodigious Pinot Noir that should drink well for 10-15+ years. The clonal material probably came from one of the DRC vineyards, so it is not surprising that. in this cool climate, with the great fruit purity California can achieve, there is a DRC-like resemblance.\" RP Dec 2014\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\"If one considers the total production of all the Peter Michael cuvées (which must be approaching 30,000 cases) and the diversity of their wines, including six cuvées of Chardonnay, four of Pinot Noir, three Bordeaux blends, and lastly Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, Peter Michael Winery may be the best-run winery of its size for world-class quality. There has been a succession of brilliant minds and craftspeople who have gone through these doors, from the early days with Helen Turley and Mark Aubert, to Luc Morlet and now his brother, Nicolas Morlet. Having followed these wines for nearly two decades, they seem to go from strength to strength, and the 2012s and 2013s may be the finest group of wines Peter Michael has ever produced. This is indeed high praise! By the way, kudos to Sir Peter Michael for making the cover of The Wine Spectator, a long overdue recognition of his accomplishments.\" Published: Dec 29, 2014","brand":"Peter Michael","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32965062164539,"sku":"USP:PET:PMMA-0750-2012-F0L0C0","price":359.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0319\/8592\/6203\/files\/USPPETPMMA-0750-2012-F0L0C0.jpg?v=1748040258"},{"product_id":"peter-michael-les-pavots-2014-750ml","title":"2014 Peter Michael, Les Pavots, Knights Valley, Bottle (750ml)","description":"JS 98 \"Incredible aromas of pine tree, mineral, cigar box and tobacco leaf but then it turns to currants and black truffle. Forest fruit and forest floor. Soya. Full body, round and decadent with a combination of ripe fruit and earth, spice and long finish. The uniqueness of Pavot is streaming here. Drink or hold.\" (January 2018)\u003cbr\u003ePeter Michael, Les Pavots, Knights Valley","brand":"Peter Michael","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32966342705211,"sku":"USR:PET:PAVO-0750-2014-F0L0C0","price":169.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0319\/8592\/6203\/files\/USRPETPAVO-0750-2014-F0L0C0.jpg?v=1772841382"},{"product_id":"peter-michael-la-carriere-chardonnay-2017-750ml","title":"2017 Peter Michael, La Carriere, Knights Valley, Bottle (750ml)","description":"JD97 (Peter Michael Chardonnay La Carriere) The 2017 Chardonnay La Carriere is a rich, powerful style of Chardonnay, yet it stays vibrant and fresh, with terrific balance. Notes of orange blossom, pineapple, caramelized citrus, and white flowers, as well as a touch of minerality all, emerge from this full-bodied, multi-dimensional, layered beauty that's going to evolve for at least a decade. ","brand":"Peter Michael","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32967016742971,"sku":"USW:PET:PMLC-0750-2017-F0L0C0","price":129.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0319\/8592\/6203\/files\/USWPETPMLC-0750-2017-F0L0C0.jpg?v=1773173926"},{"product_id":"peter-michael-les-pavots-2010-750ml","title":"2010 Peter Michael, Les Pavots, Knights Valley, Bottle (750ml)","description":"JS98 \"Superb nose of sweet tobacco, dark fruits, iron, rust, strawberry and chocolate. Fresh mint. Pine nuts. Full body with incredible structure. It is tightly knit with dense ball of fruit and ripe tannins. Goes on for minutes. This needs time to come together in bottle but fascinating. Chanel No 5 in a bottle.\" JS Mar 2012\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nRobert Parker writes, \"The Peter Michael estate ... have purchased a great parcel of vines in the Oakville Corridor near the well-known Dalla Valle property. Owned by Sir Peter Michael, this estate has employed a bevy of brilliant winemakers over the years, the current being the two Morlet brothers from the Champagne district in France. Nick Morlet is employed full-time as the main winemaker, and his brother, Luc, consults at Peter Michael. Both have brought French savoir-faire and applied it to extraordinary vineyard sites to produce world-class wines of extraordinary richness, intensity and complexity. First, Nick and Luc Morlet gave me a summary of their vintages. The brilliance and flexibility exhibited by the winemaking team at Peter Michael has brought in a treasure trove of wines that readers will adore. All of the following Chardonnays are bottled without fining or filtration. From the hillside stony soils of La Carriere, the three Chardonnay vintages I tasted have a kinship to a great Burgundy grand cru from Chevalier-Montrachet or Corton-Charlemagne because of the wines’ minerality. In 2011, the winery added a new cuvee, the Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis, made from the vineyard they purchased on the Oakville Corridor on the eastern hillsides.\" Published: Dec 29, 2013","brand":"Peter Michael","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32967034568763,"sku":"USR:PET:PAVO-0750-2010-F0L0C0","price":179.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0319\/8592\/6203\/files\/USRPETPAVO-0750-2010-F0L0C0.jpg?v=1779395852"},{"product_id":"peter-michael-les-pavots-estate-2011-750ml","title":"2011 Peter Michael, Les Pavots, Knights Valley, Bottle (750ml)","description":"JS96 \"Amazing complexity and subtlety with black truffle, blueberry, spice, roses, and lavender. Full-to-medium body, fine tannins and a long, clean finish. Builds on the palate. Drink now or hold.\" JS Oct 2012\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nDR94 \"Sir Peter Michael’s flagship wine ‘les pavots’, or 'the poppies’, delivers a fine and complex full-bodied wine that will reward cellaring. It has a ripe, sweet nose of warm fruit and concentrated blackberry jam, combined with herbal, minty characters and a veneer of fine oak. The palate is fresh, tight, balanced and refined, carrying a weight that hides the alcohol well.\" RS for DR Sep 2018\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nRobert Parker writes, \"Owned by Sir Peter Michael, this estate has employed a bevy of brilliant winemakers over the years, the current being the two Morlet brothers from the Champagne district in France. Nick Morlet is employed full-time as the main winemaker, and his brother, Luc, consults at Peter Michael. Both have brought French savoir-faire and applied it to extraordinary vineyard sites to produce world-class wines of extraordinary richness, intensity and complexity. Readers looking for some of the best Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, Sauvignon Blancs, Sauvignon\/Semillon blends, and Bordeaux proprietary red blends can do no better than the wines from the Peter Michael Winery.\" Published: Dec 29, 2013","brand":"Peter Michael","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44325110579437,"sku":"USR:PET:PAVO-0750-2011-F0L0C0","price":149.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0319\/8592\/6203\/files\/USRPETPAVO-0750-2011-F0L0C0.jpg?v=1698881724"},{"product_id":"peter-michael-belle-cote-chardonnay-2017-750ml","title":"2017 Peter Michael, Belle Cote, Knights Valley, Bottle (750ml)","description":"JD99 (Peter Michael Chardonnay Belle-Cote) \"Flirting with perfection, the 2017 Chardonnay Belle-Cote is a thrilling, magical Chardonnay that ranks with the crème de la crème of the vintage. A huge nose of crushed rocks, lemon curd, brioche, and toast all flow to a full Chardonnay that has a deep, concentrated, layered style on the palate. It's one of those rich and powerful yet weightless wines, and it has terrific acidity, purity of fruit, and length. It will be better with another year or two of bottle age.\"","brand":"Peter Michael","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44357840109805,"sku":"USW:PET:PMBC-0750-2017-F0L0C0","price":129.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0319\/8592\/6203\/files\/USWPETPMBC-0750-2017-F0L0C0.jpg?v=1727826825"},{"product_id":"2020-peter-michael-la-carriere-knights-valley-bottle-750ml","title":"2020 Peter Michael, La Carriere, Knights Valley, Bottle (750ml)","description":"LP95 The 2020 La Carriere charges out of the gate with exuberant notes of fresh pineapple, juicy apricots, and poached pears, followed by hints of candied ginger, butterscotch, and cedar. The full-bodied palate is completely coated with rich stone fruit and apple-inspired flavors, framed by plenty of freshness and a decadently oily texture, finishing long and spicy. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\nJD95 On the nose, the 2020 Chardonnay La Carriere is flush with sunny primary fruit of peach, ripe pineapple, and flinty minerality. The body is full, with a glycerin-rich mouthfeel, and ripe with cantaloupe, custard, and lemon candy. Drink this over the next 10 or more years.\u003c!--more--\u003eSir Peter Michael founded his eponymous winery in 1982, after having been inspired by the wine of Chateau Montelena, which led him to California. In 2020, Robert Fiore took the helm as winemaker, but the previous winemaker, Luc Morlet, remains as a consultant. Robert studied at the Colorado School of Mines, which led him to a career in environmental geophysics, before finding his path into the world of wine. He went on to UC Davis to study Viticulture and Enology. Most recently, Robert was a member of the winemaking team at Continuum in Napa. Vineyard manager Javier Avina has championed the land since 1991. Each of the sites are steep hillsides that modulate with varied exposition and soils in the Knights Valley. Sir Peter’s son Paul and his wife Emily oversee the management of the winery today.","brand":"Peter Michael","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47945314107629,"sku":"USW:PET:PMLC-0750-2020-F0L0C0","price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0319\/8592\/6203\/files\/USWPETPMLC-0750-2020-F0L0C0.jpg?v=1748040432"},{"product_id":"2011-peter-michael-la-carriere-knights-valley-bottle-750ml","title":"2011 Peter Michael, La Carriere, Knights Valley, Bottle (750ml)","description":"RP93 \"From a cold, rain-plagued year, the 2011 Chardonnay La Carriere exhibits a light straw color with a greenish hue as well as notes of honeyed brioche, orange marmalade, buttery citrus and terrific fruit. More evolved and seductive than the 2010 at present, the 2011 is a beautiful wine that should drink well for 7-8 years.\" - RP Dec 2013","brand":"Peter Michael","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49404864659693,"sku":"USW:PET:PMLC-0750-2011-F0L0C0","price":99.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0319\/8592\/6203\/files\/USWPETPMLC-0750-2011-F0L0C0.jpg?v=1771977204"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0319\/8592\/6203\/collections\/PM_Les_Pavots_blast_3-22-23.jpg?v=1715380736","url":"https:\/\/grandcruliquidassets.com\/collections\/winery-peter-michael.oembed?page=2","provider":"Grand Cru Liquid Assets","version":"1.0","type":"link"}