A Generations-Old Dream is Realized in Canihan Family Cellars' Award-Winning Artisan Wines
August Siegrist cultivated a love for wine as he labored in the vineyards of Switzerland, dreaming of a better life. But it wasn't until 78 years later that his dream was realized.
Having passed his dream along to his family, his son-in-law, William Canihan, Sr., purchased a 20-acre organic Sonoma farm from a Basque farmer. The land sat recuperating, unplanted for another 20 years until 1998.
The delay appears to have paid off, as Canihan Family Cellars produced award winners right out of the gate. Their first vintage Syrah (2004) received "Best of Show Red Wine" (Double Gold) at the 2007 San Francisco International Wine Competition, while their 2004 Estate Pinot Noir received Bronze. The award winning didn't stop there, however. Canihan Family Cellars has won several gold, silver and bronze medals at various national wine competition, and in a recent Rhone Valley France vs. Rhone-style California reminiscent of the Judgement of Paris, their Syrah finished ahead of several heavy-hitters at 5th.
Although August didn't live to taste the fruits of his dreams, his strong beliefs in Old World farming practices continue to influence the vineyard and the family's wines. Canihan Family Cellars practices biodynamic vineyard management, dry-farming and hand-harvesting. Bill Canihan Jr. oversees the vineyard as well as wine production, choosing to ferment with naturally occurring native yeasts and refusing to fine or filter. The Old World philosophy yields deeply expressive, flavorful wines that reflect their terroir.
Wines the family believes represent the best of the best are sold under the Exuberance label.
Sonoma Valley, California
Produces 700-1,000 cases annually
Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Viognier
Alejandro Beloz, Winemaker
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