Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Verdot grown on the slopes of Mount St. Helena in Knights Valley express the hillside character and create the unique aromatic character of this proprietary blend. The rocky rhyolite soil was formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago, giving the wines mineral richness and complexity. The 49 acres of vineyards are at their highest point, 1500 feet above sea level. The Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are grown on the cooler upper slopes, while the Cabernet Sauvignon is grown just below them. The name "Les Pavos" means "Poppy Flowers" in French, and comes from the wild California poppies that grow on the winery grounds and are the flower used in the winery's logo. The wines are ruby with a black tinge. It has notes of leather, morel mushrooms, vanilla, black fruit, cherry, blackberry, blueberry paste, and rocky notes. It has a full body and an elegant texture, with soft tannins and a hint of minerality on the long finish. It is a classic wine with a strong Les Pavos nuance. It is delicious to drink now, but can be aged for 4 to 25 years. It goes without saying that Peter Michael Winery's wines are now known as a success story of California wine. Since the release of Mon Plaisir Chardonnay in 1987, we have been receiving constant inquiries, and even now, nearly 20 years later, we are still selling limited quantities. This is because the corporate philosophy established at the time of the company's founding remains unchanged and is still the pillar of our activities. In 1983, after seven years of research in search of a vineyard and a place for his family to retreat, founder Sir Peter Michael purchased 630 acres (252 ha) of volcanic soil at the western foot of Mount St. Helena in Knights Valley, Sonoma, California. This was the moment that Sir Peter Michael's dream of running his own winery came true, which he had had since he was a young man and his father, who lived in France at the time, took him to visit chateaux and winemakers in various European countries. As the founder of Quantel*, he had visited Northern California many times with an entrepreneurial spirit, and he fell in love with the land at first sight. The winery's motto was quite simple: to make wine like French wine, using the best grapes, carefully selected barrels, and traditional winemaking techniques. This was not to make California wine by imitating French wine, but to overturn the prejudice against French wine that is still seen today among general consumers. The goal was to have a large number of world-class wines produced in California in the future, some of which would be produced at Peter Michael Winery. Over the next few years, the Bordeaux vineyards were expanded in the lower, warmer parts of the property, and the Chardonnay vineyards were cultivated in the cooler areas at higher altitudes. Taking advantage of the unique conditions of the property, each block was designed and cultivated with a complex soil puzzle. The soil, microclimate, topography, and exposure conditions determine the variety, rootstock, row orientation, density, and drainage for every section. In addition to the vineyards, the Michael family has advocated long-term conservation of the property, restoring natural habitats by planting indigenous plants. Peter Michael Winery winemakers who have made a name for themselves in the wine industry include Helen Turley, Marc Aubert, Venessa Wong, Luc Mollet, and current winemaker Nicolas Mollet. Throughout these years, the winery has continued to uphold Sir Peter's principles of "mountain vineyards, traditional winemaking methods and small batch production." In keeping with Sir Peter's "100 by 100 plan" - to be 100% family-run for at least 100 years - the winery is now being handed over to the next generation, with his son Paul taking over.
Michael and his wife Emily have gradually taken on more responsibility for the strategic direction of the winery. In 1998, the family purchased 400 acres in the True Sonoma Coast (now Fort Ross-Seaview AVA). The site is an amazing combination of coastal and mountain characteristics. The climate is fairly cool throughout the growing season, but the higher elevations, free from fog, receive enough sunshine to fully ripen the grapes. This land was planted with Pinot Noir in 2006 and 2007. In 2009, they purchased 41 acres in the mountains east of the Oakville appellation overlooking Napa Valley, 26 of which are planted with Bordeaux varieties. The vineyard was named "Au Paradis" and the 2012 vintage of this wine was ranked #1 in WineSpectator's Top 100 just two years after its debut. Peter Michael Winery's wines have been recognized by leading wine critics such as Robert Parker, who said, "If I were a French winemaker living in Bordeaux or Burgundy, I would have to pay attention to a top California producer like Peter Michael."