Vineyards
& Viticulture
Our viticulture philosophy is based on low-input sustainable agriculture (LISA), using hand-farming techniques that include organic and biodynamic practices. With an unwavering respect for the unique terroir of this place, Javier Aviña has managed the vineyards at Peter Michael Winery since 1991, using minimally invasive methods that steward and protect the soil, water, and wildlife of this extraordinary piece of land.
Estate vineyards
- Knights Valley Estate, Knights Valley AVA, Sonoma County 149 acres planted to red and white Bordeaux varietals & Chardonnay
- Seaview Vineyard, Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, Sonoma County 26 acres planted to Pinot Noir
- Au Paradis Vineyard, Oakville AVA, Napa Valley 26 acres planted to red Bordeaux varietals
Sourced vineyard
- Pisoni Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County 4. 5 acres planted to Pinot Noir
Ma Belle-Fille Vineyard
Knights Valley, Sonoma County
14 acres
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Ma Belle-Fille Vineyard
Translated from the French: my daughter-in-law
Appellation
- Knights Valley AVA, Sonoma County
Planted
- 1999
Chardonnay clonal selections
- Calera
- Mount Eden
- Hudson
- Hyde
Elevation
- 1,700–1,900 feet
Soil
- Rocky volcanic-origin Rhyolite
Exposure
- South - southeast
Notes
- Highest vineyard, full exposure, marine influence, earliest ripening Chardonnay fruit.
Wines produced from the
Ma Belle-Fille Vineyard
Ma Belle-Fille
Estate Chardonnay
Belle Côte Vineyard
Knights Valley, Sonoma County
15.5 acres
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Belle Côte Vineyard
Translated from the French: beautiful slope
Appellation
- Knights Valley AVA, Sonoma County
Planted
- 1990
Chardonnay clonal selections
- See
- Old Wente
- Rued
Elevation
- 1,700–1,800 feet
Soil
- Rocky volcanic-origin Rhyolite
Exposure
- East
Notes
- Thicker soils; cooler via elevation, easterly exposure and trees on western border, slow ripening, longer growing season.
Wines produced from the
Belle Côte Vineyard
Belle Côte
Estate Chardonnay
Mon Plaisir Vineyard
Knights Valley, Sonoma County
7 acres
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Mon Plaisir Vineyard
Translated from the French: my pleasure
Appellation
- Knights Valley AVA, Sonoma County
Planted
- 1999
Chardonnay clonal selection
- Old Wente
Elevation
- 1,700–1,800 feet
Soil
- Rocky volcanic-origin Rhyolite
Exposure
- Southeast
Notes
- Thick soils, full sun, low yields.
Wines produced from the
Mon Plaisir Vineyard
Mon Plaisir
Estate Chardonnay
La Carrière Vineyard
Knights Valley, Sonoma County
17 acres
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
La Carrière Vineyard
Translated from the French: the quarry
Appellation
- Knights Valley AVA, Sonoma County
Planted
- 1994
Chardonnay clonal selections
- See
- Dijon
- Hyde
Elevation
- 1,200–1,700 feet
Soil
- Rocky, volcanic-origin Rhyolite
Exposure
- South - southeast
Notes
- Tremendously rocky/shallow soils, 40% +slope, ideal exposure, excellent drainage, low fertility leading to low yields and grapes with concentrated flavor.
Wines produced from the
La Carrière Vineyard
La Carrière
Estate Chardonnay
Seaview Estate
Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma County
26 acres
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Seaview Estate
Appellation
- Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, Sonoma County
Planted
- 2006
- 100% Pinot Noir
Elevation
- 1,000–1,500 feet
Soil
- Rocky alluvial sediments, decomposing volcanic material, clay
Exposure
- East and northeast
Notes
- Located on the first ridgeline from the coast; bordered on the east by the Gualala River.
Wines produced from the
Seaview Estate
Les Pavots Vineyard
Knights Valley, Sonoma County
64 acres
Red & white Bordeaux varietals
Red & white Bordeaux varietals
Les Pavots Vineyard
Translated from the French: the poppies
Appellation
- Knights Valley AVA, Sonoma County
Planted
- 1989–1999
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc
- Merlot
- Petit Verdot
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Sémillon
Elevation
- 900–1,400 feet
Soil
- Rocky volcanic-origin Rhyolite
Exposure
- Southerly
Notes
- Rocky, perfectly drained soil couples with an ideal south-facing exposure and just enough heat to allow Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals to ripen perfectly.
Wines produced from the
Les Pavots Vineyard
Les Pavots
Estate Cabernet Blend
Varietals
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot & Petit Verdot
Pisoni Vineyard
Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County
4.5 acre portion of Pisoni Vineyards
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Pisoni Vineyard
Appellation
- Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County
Planted
- 1991
- 100% Vosne-Romanée
Elevation
- 1,300 feet
Soil
- Decomposed granite
Exposure
- East and northeast
Notes
- Undulating east-facing slopes with a cool maritime influence, specific vineyard blocks farmed to our specifications.
Wines produced from the
Pisoni Vineyard
Le Moulin Rouge
Estate Pinot Noir
Le Chapeau Blanc Vineyard
Oakville, Napa Valley
26 acres
Red Bordeaux varietals
Red Bordeaux varietals
Le Chapeau Blanc Vineyard
Translated from the French: the white hat
Appellation
- Oakville AVA, Napa Valley
Planted
- 1993
- Cabernet Franc
Elevation
- 500 feet
Soil
- Rocky red Boomer loam, weathered from volcanic rock, clay, silt, and sand
Exposure
- South and southwest
Notes
- Located on a bench between the valley floor and famed Pritchard Hill
Wines produced from the
Le Chapeau Blanc Vineyard
Le Chapeau Blanc
Estate Cabernet Blend
Au Paradis Vineyard
Oakville, Napa Valley
26 acres
Red Bordeaux varietals
Red Bordeaux varietals
Au Paradis Vineyard
Translated from the French: in Paradise or in heaven
Appellation
- Oakville AVA, Napa Valley
Planted
- 1984 and 2007
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc
- Merlot
Elevation
- 500–600 feet
Soil
- Rocky red Boomer loam, weathered from volcanic rock, clay, silt, and sand
Exposure
- South and southwest
Notes
- Wonderful red Aiken soils of Oakville, ideal exposure
Wines produced from the
Au Paradis Vineyard
Au Paradis
Estate Cabernet Blend
San Francisco
City of Napa
Calistoga
Healdsburg
Santa Rosa
Knights Valley
Sonoma County
Sonoma County
Fort Ross-Seaview
Sonoma County
Sonoma County
Oakville
Napa Valley
Napa Valley