- Azari Vineyards 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir -- GOLD

- Azari Vineyards 2008 Sonoma Coast Syrah -- SILVER

- Bonneau 2010 Pinot Noir, Sangiacomo Vineyard -- GOLD

- Calstar Cellars 2010 Pinot Noir, Sangiacomo Vineyard -- SILVER

- Clary Ranch 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir -- SILVER

- Clary Ranch 2009 Sonoma Coast Syrah -- SILVER

- Cline Cellars 2010 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir -- GOLD

- Gregory Graham 2010 Pinot Noir, Sangiacomo Vineyard -- GOLD

- Keller Estate 2010 Pinot Noir, La Cruz Vineyard -- GOLD

- Keller Estate 2011 Pinot Gris, La Cruz Vineyard -- SILVER

- Keller Estate 2011 Chardonnay, Oro de Plata -- SILVER

- Morris Ranch 2010 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir -- GOLD

- Morris Ranch 2010 Sonoma Coast Reserve Pinot Noir -- SILVER

- Morris Ranch 2009 Sonoma Coast Syrah -- SILVER

- Savannah Chanelle 2010 Pinot Noir, Armagh Vineyard -- SILVER

Click here for a complete list of medal winners sorted by winery.  

- Size and Location: 20 acres on Lakeville Highway, planted in 2000

- Varietals (clones): 15 acres pinot noir (Pommard, Swan, 115, and 667), 5 acres syrah (Noir, 470, 877, and Alban), plus 2 rows of viognier (for cofermentation with the syrah)

- Trellising System: VSP (vertical shoot positioning)

- Spacing (row x vine, in feet): 8x5  

The Griffin is a mythical creature, half lion and half eagle, while a lair is its secret den where it can escape the pressures of the outside world. While not a secret, Griffin's Lair Vineyard is where Joan and Jim Griffin have escaped from the suburbs and now enjoy the fantastic views of the Bay, Mt. Tamalpais, Mt. Burdell, and the Petaluma River. Although the Griffins planted their vineyard in 2000, after spending 5 years researching varietals, clones, rootstocks, testing and preparing the soil, and constructing an irrigation pond, the Lakeville area has a rich history of winegrowing. Dating back to the 1880s, wine was a big business there, with many acres of vines and two wineries by the Petaluma River. The burgeoning city of San Francisco wanted wine, so boats crossed the Bay to pick up that necessity of life. Prohibition killed the wine industry, but in the 1990s there was a resurgence of interest in the Lakeville area and throughout the Petaluma Gap.

Years ago Joan and Jim made the commitment to organic farming practices whenever possible. The leap of faith was easy for them, since it is good for the planet. However, the actually "doing" is a huge challenge - it is much easier, and cheaper, to reach for synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides. It takes years of work to achieve ecological balance: for example, to build populations of beneficial insects that will keep destructive insects in check (without insecticides). Changing the structure of the soil also takes a long time - with compost as the magic ingredient. The rewards are seeing grapevines crawling with ladybugs, lacewings, praying mantises, and soil teeming with earthworms. Yields may not be huge, but the fruit is better.

Except for 50-60 gallons of dry rosé that Joan and Jim make for themselves as home winemakers, the rest of their grapes are sold. The pinot goes to five wineries, and the syrah to a different five wineries. According to Joan, "We tend to seek out smaller wineries, and winemakers who care about what's happening in the vineyard. We see it as a partnership." Because each winemaker gets multiple clones, from designated rows, harvest is a complicated affair with Joan and Jim often acting as traffic cops in the vineyard rows. The clones have very different flavor profiles, so the winemakers have the opportunity to blend and create wines that reflect the terroir of this vineyard site.

The syrah block has proved to be very interesting in their vineyard. Planted on the west-facing slope, it is hammered by that famous Petaluma Gap wind. Shoots often break off the vines, but syrah seems to be a varietal that not only tolerates wind, but benefits from it. The growth of this vigorous varietal is moderated by the stress of the wind and the crop yields are low. The fruit produced is similar to that of the northern Rhone, allowing winemakers to craft very distinctive cool-climate wines with great structure and complex aroma profiles. While the pinot noir, facing southeast, is more protected, it too benefits from the Petaluma Gap wind and fog, producing smaller clusters and berries with more intense flavors.

You can contact Joan directly at Joan@griffinslair.com to get a list of wineries producing Griffin's Lair Vineyard-designated wines.