BEVERLY HILLS | DEER VALLEY | KAPALUA BAY | LAGUNA BEACH | PALMETTO BLUFF

-*'& 8&---*7&% 413*/(

0/5)&30"% 3&("*/*/(5*.& 0/5)&$".*/0 %&4"/5*"(0 (0*/(#&:0/% Family .0/5"(& 3&8"3%4:06/( )6."/*5"3*"/4 '*345 $63"503*"- SPENDING TIME 4&/4& WITH THOSE THAT .64&6. MATTER MOST ."45&34 5"-,"35

FC_Montage12.indd 1 2/27/15 2:31 PM John and Nancy Lasseter (back row, center) with their five sons and dogs 1BTTJPO1MBZ

ChagZg]GZg\rEZll^m^kinmma^bk\k^ZmbobmrZg]eho^h_`kZi^l mhphkdZmma^EZll^m^k?ZfberPbg^kr' BY MATT VILLANO

ew wines are made with the creativity Lasseters make some of the most popular wines Nancy Lasseter worked for years as a computer of a Disney chief officer and the ingenu- west of the Mayacamas Mountains that separate graphics engineer at Apple Computer, develop- ity of a former Apple Computer engi- Sonoma and Napa counties. ing early iterations of QuickTime, a popular Fneer. The partnership of imagination Of course, for Nancy, all that matters is that she multimedia program. As chief creative officer for and inventiveness that John and Nancy Lasseter and her husband are enjoying themselves. Studios, Animation share, however, has resulted in something worth “We see this as a project from which we’re Studios, and , has sipping slowly. always learning, an effort in which we’re always amassed a staggering number of awards and nomi- The couple has channeled their shared passions experimenting,” she says. “It’s work, but it’s nations for directing and producing films such as into the , a small, artisan work we love. We’re using the wines of the world “,” “” and “.” winery in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. The Glen as an inspiration, but our main goal is to create Their professions led them to meet at a computer Ellen, Calif.-based business specializes in estate- something unique, something of this place.” graphics conference in 1985, but they bonded over grown, Bordeaux-style blends—fruit-forward glasses of wine. On weekends, the couple escaped to wines meant to complement, not overpower, food. Planting the Seeds different areas of wine country. After their wedding Though production is small—2014 yielded Neither John nor Nancy ever would have imag- in 1988, they honeymooned in Sonoma County, only 3,200 cases—the winery’s reputation con- ined that they would become winery owners. Their not far from where their property sits today. tinues to grow. Some might even argue that the interest in wine stemmed from simply drinking it. Just five years later, the two chose the region as

76 SPRING 2015 | MONTAGE

MO12_Lasseter-e_v2-e_v3.indd 76 2/25/15 10:58 AM their permanent home to raise their family, which beautiful rose, symbolizing the illustrator and his now includes five sons. From that point, it was wife, respectively. Beneath, a vine grows with five only a matter of time until the Lasseters caught grapes, one for each of their sons. the winemaking bug, and they began accumulat- “It’s so neat for us to know the story behind ing land on which to grow grapes of their own. As that logo,” Pirak says. “There are so many stories the vineyard grew, Nancy took on more of a lead- to tell. Everything here speaks.” ership role, especially after Disney bought Pixar Animation Studios in 2006, which added to her Commitment to Terroir husband’s professional responsibilities. Even the wines themselves tell the story of the “We make all of the biggest decisions for the win- Lasseters’ land and their approach to winemaking. ery together, but John has a day job, and neither Most wine experts talk a lot about terroir—the one of us can justify taking him out of that.” concept of how a region’s climate, soil and terrain Once things began running smoothly at the affect the taste of wine. At the Lasseter Family winery, the only thing left to develop was a logo. Winery, this notion is key to the couple, who has According to Stephen Pirak, the winery’s consumer stitched together varied plots of land according to direct manager, that came about quickly after the the kinds of grapes they want to grow. Their phi- family spent a few weeks in Ireland tracking some losophy is simple: Grow great grapes, and don’t of Nancy’s ancestors. The couple was taken by the get in the way of using them to make great wine. prevalence of family crests, so on the flight home, Everyday application of this philosophy falls John grabbed an extra cocktail napkin and started on winemaker Julia Iantosca, who has worked sketching one of his own. for the Lasseters from the very beginning. By the time the plane started its descent, the Iantosca’s three decades of experience and inter- family crest—now on every bottle—was born. est in crafting wines in an Old World style aligns The image shows a smiling bee approaching a perfectly with the couple’s love of and The winery hosts tours and tastings by appointment.

ÊP^l^^mablZlZikhc^\m_khfpab\ap^Ík^ZepZrle^Zkgbg`%Zg^__hkmbgpab\ap^Ík^ZepZrl^qi^kbf^gmbg`'Ë ÉGZg\rEZll^m^k

The Lasseter Family Winery sits on nearly 100 acres of vineyards in the heart of Sonoma County, Calif.

MONTAGE | SPRING 2015 77

MO12_Lasseter-e_v2-e_v3.indd 77 2/26/15 4:04 PM French wine. This all translates into the six wines that the winery produces, including a zinfandel from grapes grown on century-old vines and a blend inspired by a wine the couple discovered on their honeymoon. Every year, Iantosca also makes an experimen- tal wine dubbed Bricolage, a blend that changes depending on the season’s best fruit. The 2013 iteration was 100-percent grenache from six differ- ent clones grown on-site; she hasn’t decided on the blend for 2014’s grapes yet. The mixtures in each of the Lasseter blends is the result of the couple’s respect for what Iantosca calls the art of winemaking, adding that the Lasseters contribute their ideas and opinions to the blending process during every vintage. “They’re not doing this to check a box,” Iantosca says. “They’re doing it because they’re passionate about good wine. So long as we’re making good wine, they’re behind it.” Julia Iantosca, the Lasseters’ winemaker, has three decades of experience and an affinity for Old World wines. Of course, one large part of creating good

DIRECTING THE SHOW When John Lasseter isn’t making Bordeaux-style wines, he’s producing and directing some of the most beloved animated movies of our time. Here are just some of the milestone creations that Lasseter has been a part of during his prolific career.

“Toy Story” (1995) “A Bug’s Life” (1998)

1984: Lasseter animated on 1998: Also directed and co- 2006: Pixar’s final independently- “” received widespread “The Adventures of André and written by Lasseter, “A Bug’s produced film before being acclaim and was the highest gross- Wally B.,” the iconic film from Life” received praise for its purchased by Disney, “Cars” was ing film worldwide that year. the Graphics Group, a part of groundbreaking animation and inspired by a road trip Lasseter Lucasfilm that later became Pixar. well-developed plot. The film won took with his wife and sons. He Expected in 2017: The rumors are numerous awards, including the directed the movie, which earned true—“” is currently 1995: Directed and co-written by Broadcast Film Critics Association a Golden Globe Award for Best under development with Lasseter Lasseter, “Toy Story” was the very Award for Best Animated Film and Animated Feature Film. again at the helm as director and first feature-length, computer- Best Family Film. co-writer. While fans of the mov- animated film and is still widely 2010: While Lasseter was busy ies have voiced apprehension, considered one of the best ani- 1999: The plot of “” was directing “,” Disney Lasseter issued a statement reas- mated movies ever made. The inspired by Lasseter’s own thoughts released the Pixar-produced suring audiences. “We love these first theatrical release from Pixar about how a toy might feel if it “Toy Story 3.” The third film in characters so much; they are like was nominated for three Academy wasn’t played with. Despite produc- the successful franchise still bore family to us,” he said. “We don’t Awards and also inducted into the tion hiccups and a major revision, Lasseter’s handprint, as he, along want to do anything with them in 2005 for the Lasseter-directed sequel was with Andrew Stanton and Lee unless it lives up to or surpasses

changing the face of animation. just as successful as the first. Unkrich, developed the story. what’s gone before.” PICTURES/PIXAR/PHOTOFEST DISNEY ©WALT PHOTO LIFE” BUG’S “A PICTURES/PHOTOFEST; DISNEY ©WALT PHOTO STORY” “TOY

78 SPRING 2015 | MONTAGE

MO12_Lasseter-e_v2-e_v3.indd 78 2/25/15 11:01 AM THE LASSETER LINEUP Nancy and John Lasseter’s winery has become known for its inventive red blends. Each bottle is decorated with an illustration by Dennis Ziemienski, an artist based out of Glen Ellen, Calif. For a taste of local art and flavor try any of these Lasseter sips.

ENJOUÉ is a dry CHEMIN DE FER L’AME DU SAGE PAYSAGE is the AMOUREUX is a blend BRICOLAGE means rose blend of red means “railroad” translates to “soul of Lasseter’s inaugural featuring merlot, “an assemblage grapes, including and alludes to John the wise man” and wine and is meant cabernet sauvignon, of found things” in syrah, mourvedre Lasseter’s love of represents the history to evoke tranquil cabernet franc and French. It is a special and grenache, made trains—he even has of the Lasseters’ land: thoughts of a land- malbec, a variety that bottle created by the in a white wine one on the private area It’s made from vines scape painting. The the couple discovered Lasseter couple and style. It has fruity of the ranch. The wine, that are pruned by Bordeaux-style wine on their honeymoon their winemaker, Julia notes of strawberry, with notes of raspberry hand and have been has merlot as the in Sonoma County. Iantosca, with the red grapefruit and and spice, represents producing fruit for lead varietal along They since planted best fruit of the sea- mango, and the the path that led the nearly a century. The with malbec and cab- the grapes in their son; the 2013 iteration name is a French couple to winemaking, wine offers a deep ernet sauvignon. It’s own vineyard to offer uses grenache grapes word that captures especially a trip they flavor, rich with ber- aged for 18 months this wine with notes from six different joy, playfulness and took through Southern ries, black pepper in European oak for a of blueberry, clove, clones grown on the lighthearted cheer. France by steam train. and spice. savory, plum flavor. vanilla and nutmeg. Lasseters’ land.

wine is the farming behind the grapes. Though The Full Experience Iantosca has recently created a white wine the vineyard isn’t certified organic, it is farmed Guests learn all about Lasseter Family Winery’s from equal parts sauvignon blanc and semillon organically under the watch of vineyard man- organic approach when they visit for a 90-min- that is expected to be released later this year. The ager Phil Coturri, who Iantosca calls “the ute tasting and tour—an intimate experience Bordeaux-style wine, called Voila, replaces the grape whisperer.” designed for eight or fewer visitors at a time. typically crisp flavor with notes of oak and “a lit- Coturri, considered by many to be the grand- Pirak greets visitors in the winery vestibule tle meat on the bones.” The winemaker also says father of organic farming in California wine with rose, then shares a bit about the history of she’s looking forward to upcoming iterations of the country, does not use pesticides or any synthetic the property and a crash course in terroir. From Bricolage, which should comprise more cabernet substances to help care for the vines. Instead, he there, he leads guests down the back stairs and franc than the wine ever has. prefers to solve problems as naturally as pos- into the production facility and barrel room for a On the back end, a large-scale project is also sible. For example, rather than irrigating the look at how wines are made and stored. underway: expansion. vines daily, he dry farms them, which encourages Next, everyone heads to the grand sitting room The Lasseters expect to double production to as deeper root growth. Rather than managing pests for their tasting. Each guest is presented with four many as 6,000 cases over the next six years. This with spray, he relies on birds to play extermina- wine glasses and a plate of local cheeses, Marcona will mean bigger production facilities and a larger tors, and has built boxes for owls and bluebirds almonds and dried cherries. Pirak guides visitors barrel room. The additions could require some to live in the vineyard. He also replaces fertilizer through each of the blended wines, encouraging investments and even purchasing grapes from with cover crops such as beans, peas, oats and them to sample each of the cheeses along the way. other properties for the first time in the winery’s mustard, and tills nitrogen-rich plant matter into Of the four, L’Ame du Sage, the old vine zin- history, a leap the Lasseters would make carefully. the soil to keep it rich. fandel, stands out most from the red blends with The couple also hopes to expand into other “Winemakers are like chefs; they want the best notes of berries, black pepper and spice. Another niches such as a cottage foods company that will raw materials possible to get the best flavors they highlight of the tasting experience is the dark choc- sell only items grown from the Lasseter Family can,” notes Coturri, whose company, Enterprise olate truffle made with a tiny bit of Amoureux, the Winery garden. “Wine is our passion, but grapes Vineyards, manages more than 600 acres near winery’s blend of malbec and cabernet sauvignon. aren’t the only thing we can grow here and grow Sonoma. “To me, you lay a good foundation in The reasons to make a visit to the Lasseter well,” Nancy says. “The more we farm, the the vineyard, you cultivate the vines the right Family Winery don’t stop with the tasting and tour; more we make from this land—the more stories way, and everything else falls into place.” the future is bright for the family business. we can tell.” M

MONTAGE | SPRING 2015 79

MO12_Lasseter-e_v2-e_v3.indd 79 2/25/15 2:25 PM