McDonald Mountain Vineyard - Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery

The McDonald Mountain Vineyard is nestled in a very cool area near the border dividing the Russian River Valley from the Petaluma Gap. This beautiful area, referred to as the Sebastopol Hills neighborhood of the Russian River Valley, is where the fog first arrives inland from the Pacific Ocean in the morning, and where it burns off last in the afternoon.

The vineyard was planted in 2008 on one to four feet of Goldridge sandy loam underlain with Los Osos clay. The diverse clonal selection includes 115, 667, 777, Pommard, 828 and Elite. The latter is a suitcase selection that produces some of the most exotic fruit characteristics that we’ve ever tasted from Pinot Noir in Sonoma County. The cool temperatures, daily fog, breezy afternoons, steep slopes and dry farming practices all contribute to the production of very small, but extremely flavor-packed clusters and berries that always retain plenty of natural acidity.

[fargokid]

I'm adding my perspective to this vlog: I don't drink alcohol and never have (even 1 drop), never smoked, never took drugs except in hospitals, was a virgin when I got married..you could say I was a pretty boring guy. But what I did do was go to school with Gary Farrell: Elementary, not Jr HS, but also HS. If you research on-line...Gary is kinda a mystery guy. You see stuff about his vineyards and winery but very little or nothing about him. Unless you personally know him, you would think he was just a product name, like Aunt Jeremiah or Oscar Meyer. I suspect he likes to keep an ultra-low profile. Let me tell you, he was naturally this way even in elementary and high school. Quiet, good student, and had a no-nonsense attitude. Gary was an opposite of me. He was also friendly. He was friends with me in the classes I had with him. Back then, we would have only 1 teacher in school and a kid would sit next to the same students all school long. I sat next to him at least one year and felt honored about it.. He always wore a Pendleton wool long-sleeve shirt, either red or blue. I couldn't afford one so I was so jealous. He always got picked to play baseball. I don't think I could ever find a fault with him if I tried. We grew up in the 50s and 60s but I never heard of Gary being part of the 60s movement. If Gary ever reads this and wonders who I am: I was always being sent to the principal's office or had to sit outside the class because I was making noise or laughing too much. Our school is still on Washington Blvd. I won't mention where his Jr HS or our HS was because that would be too easy for someone to figure out very private personal information.