Old Stage

The Franscioni family are among the most important vineyard owners in northern Monterey, now in their fourth generation, farming 290 hectares of cool-climate vines certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.

They grow mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at the foot of the Gabilan mountains, and they sell fruit to some of the biggest names in the industry while keeping the best for themselves. That is a common arrangement in Monterey and a useful one for buyers: the wines carry vineyard quality well above what their prices suggest.

Monterey's viticulture is shaped by the bay. Cold Pacific air is drawn up the Salinas Valley every afternoon, and the resulting wind and fog make it one of the coolest growing regions in California, with a season that can run weeks longer than Napa's.