The Founding of Peter Michael Winery

In 1982, after six years of searching for land to serve as both a vineyard and family retreat, Sir Peter and Lady Michael purchased 630 acres (255 hectares) of volcanic ridges on the western face of Mount Saint Helena in Knights Valley following Sir Peter’s “100 × 100” vision: 100 percent family ownership for at least 100 years.

Today, with the support of their son Paul and Paul’s wife, Emily, the Peter Michael Winery still adheres to its original founding principles of mountain vineyards, classical winemaking, and limited production. All three estate vineyards (Knights Valley, Oakville, and Seaview) rest on steep hillsides ranging in elevation from five hundred feet (152 meters) to nearly two thousand feet (610 meters). Combined, the three estates total 1,191 acres (482 hectares), and with only 201 acres (81 hectares) under vine, the remainder of the land is preserved as wildlife corridors. We produce a selection of single-vineyard, estate-grown white and red Bordeaux-inspired blends, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Each wine aptly carries a French-inspired name.

Philosophy: Guiding Principles & Land Stewardship

We will be known for our commitment to consistently producing world-class wines authentic to our terroirs, our stewardship of the land, and our passion for excellence.

Meticulously selected and nurtured vines from our mountain estate vineyards, combined with our classical winemaking philosophy, will produce wines sought after internationally for their quality. Given this unwavering commitment to quality, only a limited amount of each wine may be produced.

We believe in uncompromising quality, our people, business integrity, our customers, teamwork, leadership, our community, and the environment.

The responsibility to steward these remarkable estates is the foundation of our work here. The youngest among us have grown up walking barefoot on this earth, breathing in the fragrance of bay laurel and Douglas fir, and sleeping on the side of this mountain under the blanket of stars hidden from us in our everyday lives in England. It’s a treasured part of our lives in the US, and we protect it with intention and care.

Over half of our land has been set aside as a wildlife preserve, and the remaining acreage is planted with vineyards that are tended with carefully calibrated methods that protect waterways and wildlife, minimize chemical use, and preserve the forests of redwood and oak that were here long before we were. We honor the health of the ecosystem and believe that our ability to create exceptional wine is entirely dependent on our stewardship of the land that produces it.

Certifications:

• Fish Friendly Farming
• Sonoma Sustainable Vineyard Certification*
• California Sustainable Winery & Vineyards

Winery Estate Renewable Resources:

• Solar energy (supplies 85 percent)
• Cover crops
• Erosion control
• Water capture
• Owl boxes
• Native plant restoration

* applies to the Seaview and Knights Valley Estates