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Ficklin Vineyards is very much a family operation with Peter Ficklin guiding the family's third generation in the production of its highly regarded California port-style wines. Peter once described his duties at the winery with the following comment, "I'm the president, the winemaker and the chief bottle washer as well." As winemaker at Ficklin Vineyards, a position he was promoted to upon the retirement of his father David Ficklin in 1983, Peter has revived the vintage port program. In Ficklin's 50-plus year history, only eight vintage ports have been released, the most recent being the 1991 Vintage Port, released in 2002. From every vintage bottling, Peter holds at least 100 cases for additional cellaring and re-release at a later date. Fleur de Carneros Cellars is a project in the making for nearly 30 years. Proprietor Francis Mahoney has been farming the Carneros appellation since 1972 and the Fleur de Carneros Pinot Noir has been a staple on dinner tables for many, many years. Enter Ken Foster, formerly 15 years with David Bruce, as winemaker. This brands identity will continue to evolve beginning with the introduction of the Fleur de California Central Coast Petite Syrah. Expect to see exciting new wines in the coming months Although Foris has employed individual winemakers over the years, the current style is more old-world, some might say old-fashioned. Foris lends itself to making wines of consistent quality and great value. A coterie of dedicated individuals, each with their unique skills and knowledge, work together throughout the winemaking process - from planting to pruning, harvest to crush, fermentation to market. "Coterie", a small, intimate group of people who associate frequently. Everybody partakes in the process. Like the European guild system, Foris apprentices a likely employee, Vinnie Coterie. ficklin.com