Sierra Mar Vineyard

Santa Lucia Highlands

Owned by Gary Franscioni, Sierra Mar Vineyard lies eight miles south of Rosella's Vineyard.  Being further away from Monterey Bay, this is a slightly warmer site than Rosella's but still considered quite cool, as evidenced by the success of Chardonnay and Pinot noir grown here.  Originally a cattle ranch, it's somewhat of a miracle that this vineyard even exist.  In this low rainfall climate, water is definitely needed to establish vines.  Alas, no water was found on the property.  As a result, a well had to be drilled on the valley floor with booster pumps installed every mile to pump the water three miles up the mountain to the vineyard.  Thank you Gary!