Established in 1983, Peter Michael Winery stands as a beacon of excellence on the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas Mountains. This esteemed producer is celebrated for its diverse collection of terroir-driven wines and a profound respect for the individuals who contribute to its legacy. Founded by Sir Peter Michael, the winery was envisioned as a family estate that would flourish for generations to come. True to this vision, Peter Michael Winery remains under the dedicated stewardship of the next generation, Paul and Emily Michael, who are already planning its future handover to one of their three children. This commitment extends beyond mere ownership, fostering a culture where those intimately involved in the winemaking process are empowered to operate at the pinnacle of their craft.
The winery’s current winemaker, Robert Fiore, is a valued addition to the team, bringing a unique perspective informed by his background as a geophysicist. He follows in the footsteps of a distinguished lineage of winemaking luminaries, including Helen Turley, Mark Aubert, and the Morlet brothers, Nicolas and Luc. This impressive succession of talent has ensured that only the most exceptional wines bear the Peter Michael name, allowing the terroir to express itself with unadulterated clarity in each vintage.
Peter Michael Winery’s diverse portfolio showcases the remarkable range of styles achievable across Napa and Sonoma’s varied terroirs. This diversity underscores the winery’s expertise in cultivating different grape varieties and crafting expressive, high-caliber wines. Among their most lauded offerings is the Au Paradis Cabernet Sauvignon, a name that fittingly translates to “In Heaven,” encapsulating the wine’s ethereal quality.
Exploring Peter Michael Vineyards: A Tapestry of Terroir
Peter Michael Winery’s prestige is deeply rooted in its exceptional estate vineyards, strategically located across Napa and Sonoma counties. Each vineyard site contributes distinctive characteristics to the winery’s acclaimed wines, forming a mosaic of terroir that defines the Peter Michael style.
High in the Knights Valley, nestled on the volcanic slopes of Mount St. Helena, lies the flagship Les Pavots vineyard. This site is the heart of Peter Michael’s Bordeaux-style blends, yielding wines of remarkable complexity and structure. Also within Knights Valley are the Mon Plaisir, Belle Côte, and Ma Belle-Fille vineyards, each dedicated to Chardonnay. These vineyards showcase the versatility of this noble white grape, producing wines that range from crisp and mineral-driven to rich and opulent.
In the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, influenced by cool coastal breezes, the Seaview vineyard excels in producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The maritime climate imparts a distinct freshness and elegance to these wines, highlighting the influence of location on wine character. Further inland, in Napa Valley’s esteemed Oakville AVA, the Au Paradis vineyard reigns supreme. This site is dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon, crafting wines that epitomize the Napa Valley’s signature power and richness.
Together, these diverse vineyard sites empower Peter Michael Winery to produce an impressive range of wines. Beyond the single-vineyard expressions, they craft notable blends such as L’Esprit des Pavots and L’Après-Midi, the elegant Le Moulin Rouge Pinot Noir, and the single-vineyard Chardonnays: L’Après-Midi, Coeur à Coeur, and Clos du Ciel.
The Allure of Au Paradis Vineyard
The Au Paradis vineyard holds a special place within the Peter Michael portfolio. Situated in the prestigious Oakville AVA of Napa Valley, it benefits from the region’s renowned grape-growing conditions. Oakville is globally recognized as a premier wine region, home to some of Napa Valley’s most iconic wineries. The vineyard’s location, adjacent to the esteemed Dalla Valle estate and its celebrated Maya wine, underscores the exceptional terroir of this area. The confluence of ideal climate, unique soil composition, and optimal sun exposure in Oakville creates an environment perfectly suited for producing world-class wines.
A defining characteristic of the Au Paradis vineyard is its distinctive soil. Described as “rocky red Boomer loam,” this terroir is formed from weathered volcanic rock, combined with clay, silt, and sand. This unique soil composition imparts a notable mineral complexity to the grapes, contributing to the depth, structure, and age-worthiness of the resulting wines. Au Paradis stands as a testament to the principle that exceptional wines are intrinsically linked to exceptional soils.
Sir Peter Michael: From Tech Innovator to Wine Visionary
The story of Peter Michael Winery is inextricably linked to the remarkable journey of its founder, Sir Peter Michael. His transition from a pioneering tech entrepreneur to a revered vintner is a testament to his vision and passion. With a background in technology, Sir Peter founded Quantel, a groundbreaking digital picture company in the UK, before venturing to California during the nascent stages of the Silicon Valley tech revolution. While seemingly a world away from his tech ventures, he discovered a compelling allure in the art of winemaking.
Sir Peter’s appreciation for wine was cultivated early in life, nurtured alongside his father amidst the vineyards of Bordeaux and Burgundy. However, it was an evening in California, attending a performance by Peggy Lee at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, that ignited the spark of inspiration for Peter Michael Winery.
During that memorable evening, Sir Peter and his colleagues shared a Chardonnay that would later achieve legendary status at the Judgment of Paris competition, triumphing over some of France’s most prestigious wines. This transformative experience shattered his preconceptions about New World wines and ignited an unwavering passion to craft terroir-driven wines of unparalleled quality, wines that would capture the richness and uniqueness of the California terroir itself.
In 1982, Peter and his wife Margaret embarked on their vinicultural adventure. Their journey began with the acquisition of a breathtaking property in the Knights Valley AVA, situated at an elevated altitude of up to 2,000 feet above sea level. This high-elevation location provides cooler growing temperatures, contributing to wines with an elegant, Old-World style. The winery released its inaugural vintage in 1987, marking the inception of an enduring legacy.
“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.
Today, Peter Michael Winery remains a family-owned estate, expertly managed by Peter’s son, Paul, and his wife, Emily. Their unwavering dedication to preserving the winery’s heritage and their steadfast commitment to producing world-class wines ensure the continued excellence of Peter Michael Winery.
Winemaker Robert Fiore brings a wealth of experience and a profound connection to the land to his role. Prior to joining Peter Michael, he honed his skills in France and at select Napa wineries. Notably, he spent three years working alongside Tim Mondavi as part of the intimate winemaking team behind Continuum Estate wines, beginning in 2016. His geological background, combined with his passion for terroir-driven winemaking, makes him an ideal steward of the Peter Michael philosophy.
Unparalleled Acclaim and Recognition
The wines of Peter Michael have consistently garnered critical acclaim, solidifying their place among the world’s finest. Remarkably, three Peter Michael wines have achieved a coveted position within the top 10 of Wine Spectator’s prestigious Top 100 list. Furthermore, since the 1995 vintage, an impressive fourteen wines have received ratings of 98 points or higher from the esteemed wine critic Robert Parker, a testament to the consistent quality and exceptional nature of Peter Michael wines.
The recognition of Peter Michael’s excellence extends beyond the wine industry. Peter Michael Chardonnay was notably served at the White House in 1991 during a state dinner honoring Nelson Mandela. This prestigious occasion marked the beginning of a series of White House appearances for Peter Michael wines, including a notable dinner in 1997 honoring Queen Elizabeth, further cementing their status as wines of distinction and prestige.
The Enduring Pursuit of Wine Excellence
Peter Michael Winery, born from an extraordinary journey that spans from the tech world to the heart of wine country, embodies the relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep reverence for the California terroir. The Au Paradis series, particularly its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, exemplifies the successful fusion of time-honored tradition and innovative winemaking, resulting in wines that are, in essence, truly heavenly. Whether you are a seasoned wine connoisseur or a curious enthusiast, Peter Michael’s Au Paradis wines offer an unforgettable taste of paradise, leaving an indelible impression on the palate and the memory.
