Vineyards 2.0 – The Second Generation

For long-time Testarossa fans, we are honored that vineyards like Sleepy Hollow, Bien Nacido, Garys’, Rosella’s and Pisoni have graced your wine cellars for a decade or more.    It was extremely exciting back in the 1990s to have such world renowned vineyards agree to sell their highly sought after grapes to our new little fledgling winery in Saratoga (1994-1996) and then Los Gatos (1997-present).  We were not armed with degrees from prestigious wine universities like UC Davis, nor did we come from families rich with any history in winemaking.  We simply showed up at the door steps of these famous vineyards with little more than a ton of passion, desire, a hint of insanity and enough small business experience and resources to convince them that with their grapes, we could make a unique impact in the ever crowding California wine business. 

Shortly thereafter in 1997, mostly through serendipity (ask us sometime about “garbage day”), we met Gary Pisoni and his sons, Mark and Jeff, as well as Gary and Rosella Franscioni, the owners of the Pisoni, Garys’ and Rosella’s Vineyards, respectively.  At that time, few people had heard of these vineyards, but the mutual passion (obsession really) that we all shared for making great wines was instantly infectious.  It is very rewarding to us to have been in on the ground floor, and in our own way contributing a small part to seeing these vineyards become internationally recognized for superlative quality grapes and wines. 

As most of you know, we have never sat back on our laurels.  Lead by Testarossa winemaker, Bill Brosseau, we haven't stopped seeking out new top notch vineyards sources, both established and brand new, that fit the slow growth, ultra-high quality vision we have for Testarossa wines.  We are extremely excited by our second generation (2.0) of vineyards and we are looking forward to nurturing and seeing the next “Pisoni” or “Rosella’s” flourish into another cult quality vineyard in the coming years. 

In Sonoma, the La Cruz Vineyard has become a quality vineyard for us for all three of our varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.  Our other two small Sonoma vineyard partners, the Fritschen Vineyard and the Graham Family Vineyard, are both Pinot Noir specialists.  Each of these vineyards is so small that we will never make more than a few hundred cases of these unique and very rare bottlings.  

South of the winery, the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the limestone rich Brosseau Vineyard in Monterey County’s Chalone Appellation have showed amazing grace and old world style ageability since we started working with this vineyard about five years ago.  In Santa Barbara County, we have three new gems of vineyards that are clearly here to stay at Testarossa.   The Sanford & Benedict Vineyard has been known for world class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for more than three decades.  Over the last few years Testarossa has been blessed to be able to add our interpretation to these amazing grapes and contribute a new chapter in the long legacy of Sanford & Benedict Vineyard wines.  Maybe a bit younger than Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, there are two really great Syrah vineyards, the Thompson Vineyard near Los Alamos and the Stolpman Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley, both vineyards were planted in the early 1990s.   

The initial wine from all of these “Second Generation” vineyards has us buzzing with excitement in our historic cellars here in Los Gatos.  When making your selections of which Testarossa wines you will bring home in the future, don’t forget some of these newer names!  We believe these “second generation” vineyards will blow your socks off!  Also, just in case you think we’re finally done seeking out more special vineyards for you to explore and enjoy, don’t fret.  Many “vineyard 3.0” wines are already in our cellars.  Time and patience will bear out if they join the other legendary Testarossa names that have stood the test of time and the new “Second Generation” wines that are trying to establish their legacy with you, our most important critics!

Rob & Diana Jensen
Proprietors