For three generations the Talley family has farmed in Coastal San Luis Obispo County, a tradition that began in 1948 when Oliver Talley founded Talley Farms and started growing vegetables in the Arroyo Grande Valley. After witnessing the success of winegrowing in the neighboring Edna Valley, Oliver's son, Don Talley, became convinced of the potential for growing high-quality wine grapes on the steep hillsides above Talley Farms. He planted a small test plot in 1982 on the west hillside of the Rincon Vineyard. In 1986 Don made 450 cases of wine, which sold out very quickly. Production increased over the next five years, until 1991, when a new winery was built at the foot of their Rincon Vineyard. Today, Don and Rosemary Talley's son, Brian Talley, runs the business after developing a passion for wine when he worked in a wine shop while attending UC Berkely.
The Talley family has a commitment to high quality and long-term sustainability which are the two principles that guide Talley Vineyards' farming decisions. Their vineyards are SIP Certified (Sustainability in Practice) by the Central Coast Vineyard Team. Biologically based farming techniques and integrated pest management practices are employed throughout the vineyards. To improve soil conditions, prevent erosion and provide fertility, cover crops are maintained in all vineyard blocks. No herbicides are used.
Rosemary's Vineyard has become Talley's most iconic vineyard, and has produced some of the most highly regarded Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in California. In fact, it is truly unique as a site that produces two distinct wines of such high quality. Numerous vintages of Rosemary's Vineyard Pinot Noir have been served at the White House and both Rosemary's Vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have achieved scores of 98 points in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. The 2002 Rosemary's Vineyard Chardonnay was judged the best California Chardonnay in the 30th Anniversary Judgment of Paris Tasting in 2006. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean and surrounding Rosemary Talley's home, Rosemary's Vineyard is the coolest site at Talley Vineyards, has distinctive chalky shale soils and produces Pinot Noir marked by refreshing acidity. It yeilds Talley Vineyards most ageworthy and highly regarded wines.
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Rosemary's Vineyard displays a medium ruby/translucent hue and a spice-driven, complex nose of red fruits, savory herbs, and forest floor/underbrush-like nuances. Based on 100% Pinot Noir and aged in 33% new French oak for 16 months, it's medium-bodied and has a beautiful sense of purity and precision, ripe tannins, and clean, focusing acidity that comes through on the finish. There's a Vosne-Romanée-like complexity and depth here, and it should have solid longevity. Drink 2025-2037."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 94 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Rosemary's Vineyard has excellent delineation and fruit density without heaviness. Orange zest, rosemary, new leather and cranberry form a particularly intoxicating aromatic and flavor profile, all articulated in the lighter-bodied framework of the year. A persistent, herb-inflected finish wraps things in style."
The Talley family has a commitment to high quality and long-term sustainability which are the two principles that guide Talley Vineyards' farming decisions. Their vineyards are SIP Certified (Sustainability in Practice) by the Central Coast Vineyard Team. Biologically based farming techniques and integrated pest management practices are employed throughout the vineyards. To improve soil conditions, prevent erosion and provide fertility, cover crops are maintained in all vineyard blocks. No herbicides are used.
Rosemary's Vineyard has become Talley's most iconic vineyard, and has produced some of the most highly regarded Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in California. In fact, it is truly unique as a site that produces two distinct wines of such high quality. Numerous vintages of Rosemary's Vineyard Pinot Noir have been served at the White House and both Rosemary's Vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have achieved scores of 98 points in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. The 2002 Rosemary's Vineyard Chardonnay was judged the best California Chardonnay in the 30th Anniversary Judgment of Paris Tasting in 2006. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean and surrounding Rosemary Talley's home, Rosemary's Vineyard is the coolest site at Talley Vineyards, has distinctive chalky shale soils and produces Pinot Noir marked by refreshing acidity. It yeilds Talley Vineyards most ageworthy and highly regarded wines.
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Rosemary's Vineyard displays a medium ruby/translucent hue and a spice-driven, complex nose of red fruits, savory herbs, and forest floor/underbrush-like nuances. Based on 100% Pinot Noir and aged in 33% new French oak for 16 months, it's medium-bodied and has a beautiful sense of purity and precision, ripe tannins, and clean, focusing acidity that comes through on the finish. There's a Vosne-Romanée-like complexity and depth here, and it should have solid longevity. Drink 2025-2037."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 94 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir Rosemary's Vineyard has excellent delineation and fruit density without heaviness. Orange zest, rosemary, new leather and cranberry form a particularly intoxicating aromatic and flavor profile, all articulated in the lighter-bodied framework of the year. A persistent, herb-inflected finish wraps things in style."
