Carlisle

“Mike Officer, a former home winemaker, is now making Zinfandels, Syrahs, and some compelling field blends from old, old vines in Sonoma and the Russian River. He’s not as well-known as he should be, but then again, he’s only been doing this job full time for several years. Glory has already descended, and he’s the kind of person who will only keep pushing the envelope of quality.” -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Carlisle Winery & Vineyards is a small Sonoma County winery that is best known for their single-vineyard, old-vine Zinfandel while also specializing in Rhone varietals. Although owners Mike and Kendall Officer have been making “garagiste” wines for most of their life, the winery was not officially founded until 1998. The winery owns an estate in the Russian River Valley that has Zinfandel vines that were planted in 1927, and they have become the unofficial soul of the winery. With the addition of Winemaker Jay Maddox’s attention to detail, Carlisle is producing some of its best old-vine Zinfandel as well as focusing heavily on Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre that are opulent and characteristic to their specific vineyards.

www.carlislewinery.com