G.E.O.

Foggy Bridge Winery produces an estate line of wines from its own San Francisco Bay vineyard located in the Livermore Valley. These wines, named G.E.O. (Green. Earth. Origin.), will be the hallmark of the Foggy Bridge portfolio. The word Green refers to the commitment to farm organically, and Foggy Bridge aims to be certified organic by 2010. Earth reflects Daryl Groom's winemaking style and the desire to bring the essence of the estate vineyard into the G.E.O. wines. Finally, Origin is a nod to the true beginnings of Foggy Bridge Winery, when founder John Kontrabecki purchased the vineyard in 2001.

The G.E.O. tier will include a Chardonnay, Syrah, Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, hailing 2007 as its inaugural vintage. Led by a well-balanced Chardonnay, introduced in November 2008, the G.E.O. red varieties will follow.

The Vineyard

One of the few hillside vineyard sites in Livermore, Foggy Bridge's 132-acre vineyard was used for cattle grazing for more than 100 years. Soon after John purchased the vineyard in 1998, he planted 89 acres to Chardonnay, Syrah, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Petite Sirah. This vineyard is an ideal site for growing organic grapes, with coastal breezes and fog that provide natural evening cooling, a prime hillside location and young, minimally farmed vineyard land. Read more about the origin of this vineyard and the influence of two expert well witchers on our blog.

Consulting Vineyard Manager Michell Klug, a veteran Napa Valley winegrower, is dedicated to organic farming, having spent most of his career pursuing the goal of moving winegrowing to higher levels through sustainable and organic techniques. His many years of experience as Director of Winegrowing at Robert Mondavi Winery and Premier Pacific Vineyards allow us to utilize the best practices in viticulture that bring forth wines of elegance and complexity. Great wine begins in the vineyard.

Current Releases

2008 Chardonnay, San Francisco Bay	Purchase