About Vineyards

The fruit for the Praxis wines is sourced from all over California in order to maintain quality at a relatively reasonable price. The vineyards are also located where Bill believes the varietal will best express its own characteristics – the right soils and climates for the vines. Most of the wines are from a single vineyard; all of them are 100% of the varietal.

Sauvignon Blanc: The grapes for this wine come from the cooler part of Sonoma County – the confluence of the Alexander Valley and the Russian River Valley.  The cooler climate here accentuates the crisp, bright green apple characteristics of the varietal without overpowering the floral aromas and flavors of pears and citrus.

Viognier: This is our sixth vintage from the same vineyard in Lodi. Although we are Sonoma County based, the warmth of the growing conditions there are closer to the climatic conditions of the Southern Rhone Valley in France – the source of this ancient varietal. Bill feels the Viognier grapes need more heat than we can get in Sonoma County to fully develop their varietal characteristics. These are the Geneva clone of Viognier which impart less floral aromas and more flavors of peaches and apricot to the wine. For those unfamiliar with Viognier, we feel it has the best characteristics of a Chardonnay and a Riesling or Gewürztraminer in one! The wine is fruity but dry with flavors of pears and nectarines.

Pinot Noir:  We began the Praxis line of wines in 2000 with a Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir and have been searching for specific clones grown in Monterey ever since. Since the 2005 vintage, Bill has had those clones (667 and 777) from the appellation he wanted. The wine is elegant and balanced with aromas of bing cherry, violets, leather and coffee.

Syrah: This vineyard is in the Dry Creek appellation but very close to the Russian River – cooler growing conditions that Bill thinks the Syrah needs to express its color and flavor.

Merlot: These grapes are grown on a small rise in the heart of the Alexander Valley. Bill feels he can make a merlot that tastes like something from these grapes – not just a generic red wine.