GOLD MEDAL WINE CLUB’S v03i03 ANIHAN FAMIY CELLARS Passionately living out his family dream is Bill Canihan, the leading Cforce behind Canihan Family Cellars – one of the latest boutique wineries to take Sonoma Valley by storm. ocated in southern Sonoma Valley William Canihan, Sr. (Siegrist’s son-in- near Los Carneros is Canihan Family law) purchased 20 acres of Basque Cellars,L owned and operated by Bill farmland in Sonoma County with the Canihan who is proudly (and intent of one day planting wine grapes. enthusiastically) carrying out his family The land had been farmed organically dream, one award-winning wine at a for over 60 years and seemed an ideal time. Canihan’s inspiration for the setting for growing premium quality small winery is steeped in family history wine grapes. William’s son, Bill and pays homage to his grandfather Canihan, was only twelve at the time, who dreamed of one day owning his but would grow to be the instrumental own winery. piece in jump-starting Canihan Family Cellars some 20 years down the road. The dream dates back to 1920 when a young man named August Siegrist Bill Canihan was no stranger to wine came to America in search of a better growing up, and often enjoyed a glass life. Siegrist was Canihan’s grandfather, at the dinner table with family (half and had grown up supporting his wine, half water until he was old family in Switzerland by working the enough). While attending college at nearby vineyards. While farming the University of the Pacific (UOP), he hillside plantings of Pinot Noir and shared his hobby with friend and other cool climate varietals, Siegrist roommate Jack Galante, who was developed a respect for nature and planning to enter the winery business sustainable farming, along with a after graduation. Galante’s family had cultivated love of wine. land in Carmel Valley that would make a suitable vineyard, and it got Canihan Siegrist came to America in 1920 and thinking too…what about his family’s eventually made his way into California land in Sonoma? It was just the wine country. Unfortunately, his motivation Canihan needed. timing couldn’t have been worse as the country was thrown with the onset of It was 1998 and the Canihans sought Prohibition and he was forced to set out noted viticulturist Phil Coturri to aside his love for wine and refocus his direct the planting of the vineyard and dreams. Siegrist never gave up on his winemaker Alexandra Romanini to passion for wine though, and through assist them in producing the first wines the years, passed his interest and from the vineyard. They wanted to enthusiasm onto his family. maintain the organic practices to keep Bill Canihan toasts his award-winning wines from the small family August Siegrist’s vision alive, and of vineyards in Sonoma Valley; Canihan Family vineyards thrive with It wasn’t until many years later (in 1975 certified organic and biodynamic farming practices matched with hand-harvesting and meticulous attention to detail. that his dream began to be fulfilled. continued on Page 2 1 CANIHAN FAMILY CELLARS, Continued from Page 1 course chose to go with Pinot Noir as their primary varietal. “I knew Pinot would grow best there because of the location,” Canihan explained, “and we did a little Syrah too because I thought it would be the ‘next big thing’ – I still do. We also planted Cabernet Franc.” After producing just a couple barrels in 2002 and 2003, Canihan Family Cellars made their first commercial release in 2004 with 170 cases of Estate Syrah. The wine created quite the buzz, being awarded “Best of Show Red Wine” from over 4,300 wines at the prestigious 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition – the highest possible honor! “I was really surprised,” Canihan admitted, “but it opened up a lot of doors and it really validated what we were doing.” “At the time, I was so excited to start selling wine that I’d been giving away cases of the 04 Syrah to all of our friends and family. We were almost sold out by the time the award came out and I had to go back to some friends and ask for it back!” Canihan said with a laugh. Canihan has found great success with his Pinots as well – they make up the large majority of Canihan Family wines and have become what the winery is best known for. Working with consulting winemaker Alajandro Beloz, Canihan masters the “hands-off” minimalist winemaking approach, and in turn, his wines are true expressions of his family vineyard. The Canihan family also utilizes certified organic and biodynamic farming practices as a way of paying homage to Bill’s grandfather August Siegrist. They’re keeping his dream very much alive in every way they can. Today, Canihan Family Cellars produces just 1,200 cases annually and Canihan hopes within a year or two that number will reach 2,000-2,300 and “that will be our spot.” “We’re really excited that each vintage seems to be better than the Bill Canihan gets the first look at his hand-harvested grapes; Canihan’s fruit ages in 100% French Oak to impart subtle spice flavors and silky last,” Canihan enthused. That’s a good trend for this newcomer texture in the finished wine; the cooling fog in this Sonoma region benefits winery, one that can be validated with the consistent high scores and the gradual ripening process of Pinot Noir grapes. prominent reviews. What an awesome success story and tribute to this family dream. BOUT THE VINEYARD Canihan Family Vineyards are located in Sonoma Although purchased in 1975, the vineyards weren’t planted until A Valley near the Los Carneros appellation where 1998, which gave the soil over 20 years of rest, allowing nature to the grapes receive the cool evening breezes and thoroughly cleanse the soil before seeding. This biodynamic farming frequent fog from the San Francisco Bay – perfect theory recognizes the balance and natural healing process in the soil grape growing conditions for cool climate varietals and is an important factor to this particular farming method. like Pinot Noir. The Canihans are committed to Canihan’s vineyard manager is Phil Coturri, who is also currently farming sustainably and biodynamically and the managing the vineyards of Hanzell, Merus, Moon Mountain and vineyard is certified organic by CCOF (California Arrowood wineries. Coturri has an excellent reputation for his organic Certified Organic Farms). and biodynamic practices, which are best judged by their results. 2 BOUT THE WINEMAKER Bill Canihan works closely with consulting Canihan joined two San Francisco-based wine tasting groups, the A winemaker Alajandro Beloz to craft his small Vintners Club, and Friends of the Grape (FOG) where he focused allotments of premium Pinot Noir, Syrah and on the details of his favorite producers, such as Rochioli and Cabernet Franc from his small family vineyards Williams Selyem, and used them as guides in his own production. in Sonoma Valley. His methods showcase the Today, Canihan is thrilled to share his wines with others and extraordinary fruit from his cool-climate site currently offers his wines in two tasting room facilities – one and the response his wines continue to receive is being a winery collective with a group of boutique wineries in nothing short of impressive. San Francisco and the other being a small barn on his vineyard Canihan studied business while at UOP and in his free time property in Sonoma Valley. “Bring your boots!” Canihan laughs. enjoyed ski racing (he actually almost made the Olympic Team “It may be a little muddy out there, but it definitely gives people and for three seasons raced on the Pro Circuit). After college, the real experience.” ANIHAN 2007 SONOMA VALLEY PINOT NOIR The 2007 Estate Pinot Noir is the fourth vintage from Canihan’s organic,C dry-farmed vineyard in Sonoma Valley. Canihan’s unique terroir, meticulous organic and biodynamic farming practices, and “hands-off” winemaking philosophy result in exceptional Pinot Noir each vintage, and this latest release is one of the best vintages to date. Connoisseurs’ Guide says, “Touches of cocoa, graham crackers and sweet earth sit lightly atop well-defined, black cherry fruit in the nose, and the wine’s deep, fully ripened flavors follow suit. A full-bodied and fairly fleshy version of Pinot, it is also balanced, and it manages to convey complexity. It shows fine stamina and strength at the finish, and it comes with the real promise of several years’ growth.” Cases Produced: 290 Alcohol: 14.5% 90 POINTS pH Balance: 3.78 - Connoisseurs’ Guide Total Acidity: 0.60 g/mL Enjoy now until: 2012 EORDERS GOLD MEDAL WINE STORE Retail Price Club Price Club Price R SAVE up to CANIHAN Winery-Direct 2-bottle Members 4-bottle Members And Multiple Series Members 18% OFF 2007 Winery Pinot Noir $39.00/btl. $34.00/btl. Save 13% $32.00/btl. Save 18% Direct 2 bottle min. order. REORDER ONLINE: www.goldmedalwine.com Toll Free: 1-800-266-8888 Fax: 1-800-266-8889 Availability is extremely limited Note: Shipping and tax (if applicable) not included in the above prices. Call for details. 3 ECIPES Perfect Pairings For Pinot Noir R Rosemary Pork Chops ½ cup Soy Sauce ¼ cup Water 3 Tbs. Brown Sugar 1 Tbs. Dried Rosemary, crushed 4 (6 ounce) boneless Pork Loin Chops In a large resealable bag, combine the soy sauce, water, brown sugar and rosemary. Add the pork chops. Seal the bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for about 3 hours to fully marinate.