Brandon Gregory Sauvignon Blanc Knights Valley 2023

Just a stone’s throw away from Calistoga to the west lies the sleeping giant Sonoma AVA of Knights Valley.  Despite receiving appellation status in 1983, the area remains rural and remote, reminiscent of Napa Valley decades ago with its rustic, rolling acres of vineyards and only two tasting rooms.  If you’re a fan of Peter Michael, you know the terroir of Knights Valley well; yet outside of larger wineries, the region is relatively untapped by smaller producers.  Nevertheless, folks like Sky Devil and Chiron have hit the market and shown the potential that lies beneath these ancient volcanic soils.  And today, we’re thrilled to debut Brandon Gregory Estate, the newest family-owned label to embrace Knights Valley, and join the campaign to elevate its reputation and bring more oenophiles into the know.  

Named for vintners Brandon Muller and Gregory Roberts, this new estate was an afterthought in their journey to acquire a wine country home.  After years of collecting wine and dreaming of a second home nestled within acres of vineyards, the couple began their search and, through colleagues in the real estate world, were introduced to Knights Valley.  They fell in love with the pastoral feel and rugged landscapes and purchased their initial parcel of 621 acres in 2017.  They soon learned that the land was prime real estate for grapevines, so they planned a 22-acre vineyard planting named Helena Vista.  For some vintners, one property and vineyard would be sufficient.  Still, Brandon and Gregory’s adoration for Knights Valley grew, and they quickly added a historic 565-acre ranch with a 27-acre vineyard to their estate named Brookshire Vineyard, intending to enter the wine industry in a full-fledged way.

Their Sauvignon Blanc comes as a delightful addition to the line-up this year. Crsip and clean with notes of green papaya and lemon pith, this wine is a no-brainer this summer when you need an elevated wine for a cheeseboard poolside.