Artisan Wines

Artisan Wine Company- a small firm of dedicated and professional wine enthusiasts, began producing quality wines in 1984. Located in the heart of the Napa Valley, and under the direction of winemaker Michael Fallow, Artisan's wines are meticulously crafted to be in tune with the American consumer. Exceptional quality and value, with emphasis on full fruit and complexity is the appeal of Artisan Wines to today's sophisticated drinkers. Artisan Wines offers their wines under the brand Harvest. Our Harvest label showcases wines of premium quality and character, with emphasis on full fruit, complexity and broad appeal. The Harvest wines are delightful wines for everday drinking and offer exceptional values. The Harvest wines are presented with distinctive packaging that draws on simplicity and the history of wine in California. Our Harvest label is from the mural in the St. Helena, California Post Office that recognizes the contributions of working Americans in the early development of the wine industry. In 1934 at the height of the Depression, the United States Treasury initiated a New Deal program to decorate public buildings. Regional and National competitions were held and commissions were awarded to artists and sculpturers solely on merit. Lew Keller was commissioned to create this mural on the basis of designs he submitted in a mural competition for the Social Security Board in Washington, D.C.. He completed his mural titled "Grape Pickers" in 1941. It was purchased for $750 and installed in June 1942. About the principals: Michael Fallow became interested in wine as a student at San Francisco State University and pursued his interest receiving a Masters of Science degree in Viticulture and Enology at the University of California at Davis in 1975. His career began that year managing mountain vineyards, now known as Pride Mountain Vineyards, and in 1977 he merged the vineyard experience with practical winemaking under such masters as Warren Winiarksi and Philip Togni. His experience includes winemaking, grape purchase and vineyard management at Robert Mondavi winery, Stonegate winery and William Hill winery. At William Hill, he assisted in launching a fledgling operation into one of today's major players in the wine industry. In his role as winemaker he was involved with national and international marketing. Gavin Gracey is a South African born resident of Napa Valley since 1975. His love and passion for the wine industry came about from his involvement in the hospitality industry, from which he earned his degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. His prestigious positions in California included the General Management of Meadowood Resort in St. Helena and General Manager of the restaurant at Domaine Chandon. In addition to these operations he opened and operated country clubs, San Francisco Bay Area restaurants and nightclubs and finally a nationally popular design store in St. Helena, California (Napa Valley), before joining the wine industry as a permanent fraternity member. An avid home winemaker, he brings skills of management and marketing to Artisan Wines.

Artisan Wines

Artisan's Harvest Cornucopia
In our 1997 Cornucopia we have blended Sangiovese 79%, Petit Verdot 19% and Cabernet franc 2%. The lots were fermented separately and blended before bottling. Cornucopia, our signature wine, is the finest expression of the winemakerÍs art of blending. In addition it gives expression to the variety and quality that California wines express at their best. The abundance of the California harvest, the bounty of warm climate and ripe fruit at its best and fullest expression. The wine is rough filtered and bottled in December of 2000. Three hundred and seventy four cases were produced. Wine Facts Alcohol - 13.9% pH - 3.5 Total Acidity - .56 Artisan Winemaker Notes: Medium bright red garnet with shades of black. In the nose I found ripe fruit aromas along with leather and barrique complexitiies. The overall impression was one of ripe, broad fruit character with attractive rich spice and leathery aromas. The aromas are quite expansive, filling the glass and the room after the wine has been open a while. On the palate: bright, rich and good concentration with palate fullness. Good acidity underpinning add to the impression of a well structured wine. There are light tannins, well balanced to the fruit. The finish is lingering, spicy with ripe berry fruit and finishes in a long, complete and satisfying way. Overall impression: Rich full wine, nice complexity of aromas and barrique giving it the impression of an intriguing wine rather than a single grape variety.

Artisan's Harvest Sangiovese
Sangiovese by Artisan Wines comes from grapes grown in the relatively small Green Valley, a unique wine growing region southwest of Napa. Green Valley lies on the border of Napa County and Solano County. The vineyards are cooled by fog and marine air which travel up from San Francisco Bay through the Carquinez Straits, and then through the Suisun Bay, allowing for significant cooling from the hot and ripening effects of summer days. A complex loam soil on alluvial fans force vines to struggle somewhat, producing low yields of richly concentrated and complex grapes. The wine is a blend of two different clones, the Pepi and a University #1. After being hand-picked around 23.5 Brix and fermented, the Harvest Sangiovese was aged in a mix of old and new barrels for 16 months. Wine Facts: Alcohol - 13.7% Ê pH - 3.29 Ê Total Acidity - .62 Artisan Winemaker Notes: Bright red cherry color, clear with a slight orange peel edge. The color is reminiscent of French Burgundies in the way it darkens with a little depth of wine in the glass. Definitive "legs" on the walls of the glass from glycerine. Soft cherry aromas with the complexity of soft oak from older barrels with a distinct bright berry quality and a hint of chocolate right behind it. Excellent, soft flavors with a snappy acidity, rich warm qualities and a broad expansion of berries in the mouth. Fades to a nice chocolate and cherry finish. Clean and lingering finish. Excellent balance.

Artisan's Harvest Syrah
In our 1998 Napa Syrah we have blended approximately 11% Napa Cabernet sauvignon. The lots were fermented separately and blended before bottling. The Syrah was grown in vineyards in Pope Valley, which is the slightly warmer valley that lies just over the eastern hills from Napa Valley, an excellent climate for Syrah. The Cabernet sauvignon comes from the hillside vineyards of Chappelet winery which is located in Chiles valley, a tributary to Napa Valley in the eastern mountains just off the Napa Valley. The wine is unfiltered and was bottled 8 February 2000. Two hundred and ninety nine cases were produced. Wine Facts: Alcohol - 14.1% Ê pH - 3.87 Ê Total Acidity - .56 Artisan Winemaker Notes: Medium deep red color with the look of black cherry juice. In the nose I found bright vanilla, cherry aromas along with deep ripe berry fruit and coffee notes. The overall impression was one of full , ripe, broad fruit character with attractive rich berry aromas. The aromas are quite expansive, filling the glass and the room after the wine has been open a while. On the palate: soft, rich and slightly angular with incredible concentration and palate fullness and "grip". Hints of coffee, leather and a mint freshness are apparent in the rich, ripe fruit flavors. Good acidity underpinning add to the impression of a well structured wine. There are light tannins, well balanced to the fruit. The finish is lingering, slightly tarry with bright berry fruit. Overall impression: Concentration, depth, complexity, nearly seemless creamy rich fruit.