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Ask the Grower: An Interview with Gary Franscioni

Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey County)
Owner: Gary Franscioni
Acreage (for Testarossa):

• Chardonnay, 3 acres, planted in 1999
• Pinot Noir, 2 acres, planted in 1996

Yield: 3 tons per acre
Soil Composition: Sandy, gravelly loam
Elevation: 300-400ft
Exposure: East-facing slopes
Climate: Marine influenced, cool, foggy mornings and evenings; breezy afternoons. Highs from low 70s to upper 80s, lows in the 50s.
First Testarossa vintage:
1999—Chardonnay; 2001—Pinot Noir

Gary Franscioni planted his family vineyard, named after his lovely wife Rosella, on River Road in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Intense wines result from the labor intensive farming, Arroyo Seco sandy, loam soil, and a marine climate highlighted by strong, coastal winds blowing off Monterey Bay which make for foggy mornings, breezy afternoons and a long, drawn out growing season.