Bernie Orsi and Lawrence Papale are longtime friends. In the early 1990s Bernie purchased acreage in Sonoma County and planted grapes. Meanwhile, Lawrence moved his family to the Napa Valley and became a home winemaker. They joined forces in 1995 and their wines won acclaim from family and friends and awards at county fairs. In 2001 the first commercial vintage of Orsi Papale Estate Wines was launched. Their vision is to remain a small-production winery of quality, handcrafted wines.

Bernie Orsi – About the Vineyards

The most amazing thing about growing grapes is the connection between where the fruit is grown and how the wine tastes. I don’t think most people could tell the difference between a tomato sauce – or even the tomato itself – from the Sacramento Valley vs. the Inland Empire. But with wine there can be a specific difference that can be traced not just to a region but also to a hilltop or valley. Pinot Noir has the ability to take on the flavor profile of the place and climate where it is grown more than any other varietal. The cool Russian River climate where our pinot vines are located promotes distinct characteristics in the grapes. Our Cabernet is grown in spare soils on a hillside 200 feet above the Dry Creek Valley floor. The vines work a little harder, the grapes are more intense, and this comes through in the wines. What a magnificent thing to see the full cycle from terroir to vine to grape to bottle to glass!

Lawrence Papale - Thoughts on Winemaking

Orsi Papale has been bucking the trend. Most California reds today still aspire to be huge, stand-alone wines. We are striving to make a different kind of statement – more in tune with the wines of France and Italy where people drink wines as an accompaniment to food. The flavors of the wine are meant to balance the food, not overwhelm it. That is our goal – well-structured and flavorful wines that complement food. We want our wines to have a distinct beginning, middle and end. That is, the aroma and first taste should be pleasing, rounding out and filling the mouth with flavor, followed by a long finish that persists after the wine is swallowed. Our wines are not meant to be monuments to themselves. Our objective is to craft wines that are intensely flavored, multi-layered and interesting to drink, especially with food - and always with family and friends.

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