Winemaker Notes
Thomas Fogarty Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir beautifully reflects this nearly perfect growing season. The clarity of this red fruited vintage is highly apparent in both the aromatics and mouth. Full of energy, the flavors and texture of this wine are unmistakably Santa Cruz Mountains in origin with cherry fruit highlighted by spice, mineral and green tea like accents.
Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
Robert Parker 91 Points
About Thomas Fogarty Winery
Thomas Fogarty Winery was founded in 1978 with the planting of our first vineyard by two men whose complimentary personalities and skill sets allowed them as a team to turn a dream into reality. Dr Thomas Fogarty moved to the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1969 to practice medicine at Stanford Hospital and develop medical device technology. Quickly he fell in love with the rugged terrain and natural beauty of the region and began to buy land surrounding his new home. By 1977 Fogarty had accumulated over 300 acres, and economic reality dictated that if he wanted to keep the land he would need to enter into an open space agreement and start an agricultural business. After considering several options (including Kiwi farming), Dr Fogarty was convinced by some older Stanford physicians to plant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the lean soil of the cool untested northern Santa Cruz Mountains. As he learned about grape growing and winemaking he was introduced to a number of people recommended to him as experts. Among this group was Michael Martella. Martella, a fourth generation grape grower, impressed with his knowledge and his down-to-earth approach to the entire process of wine growing, from the vineyard to the bottle. Michael became the first employee of Thomas Fogarty Winery in 1979 and directed the winery for almost thirty years, developing the vineyards and the wine. Martella’s practical knowledge and hard work along with Fogarty’s business instincts and “Midas touch” built, over nearly forty years, what we have today. Tom Fogarty Jr, Managing Principal Tom Jr was ten years old when the first vines were planted at Thomas Fogarty and has seen the winery grow from its inception. After completing the Wine Marketing program at Sonoma State University he earned a degree in Business Management.
