Spring 2025 Newsletter

A Note From Jeff Mangahas, VP/Director of Winemaking

As we embark on a new year and the release of the 2023 vintage, I am reflecting on the successes of last year. In addition to another outstanding qualitative vintage, 2024 was capped off with the 2022 Eastside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir being awarded the #8 wine of the year from Wine Spectator! This crowning moment is just another chapter in the storied history of Williams Selyem. From the 1985 Rochioli winning the sweepstakes at the California State Fair, to the 2007 Litton Estate being the first North American Pinot Noir to be awarded 100 points, to today being awarded a top 10 wine of the year in the world, we are proud of our long-standing commitment to excellence and quality. Little did Burt Williams and Ed Selyem know that they were on the verge of something special when they started making wine in a garage in Fulton, California back in the late 1970s. Through innovation, sheer dedication and commitment to quality, they showed the world that the Russian River Valley was capable of producing wines of distinction and quality. Many were inspired by their pioneering spirit that helped shape the region’s wine industry.

Williams Selyem’s artisanal approach to winemaking is exemplified by the continued practice of Burt and Ed’s many innovations of repurposing impeccably made stainless steel dairy tanks for fermentation. They have a low, shallow form and enabled gentle extraction of the Pinot Noir grapes. The increased ratio of skin to juice along with gentle foot treading techniques during vinification created a wine that had a beautiful texture that would become the signature style of Williams Selyem. Due to the high acclaim and the limited production, Burt and Ed were forced to develop a system of selling their wine directly to consumers, where they allocated individual bottles to customers to keep everyone happy. Flash forward to today, we still do the same things that helped define us. When John and Kathe Dyson purchased Williams Selyem from Burt and Ed in 1998, John was famously quoted as saying: “I’ve never worked so hard to change nothing”. This has been and will continue to be the mantra at Williams Selyem with the many unique things that set us apart.

The coming 2025 harvest will mark the 45th vintage for Williams Selyem, which is no easy feat in today’s world of competitiveness and consolidation. It signifies the timelessness of the style that has become so beloved and enduring. A new chapter is unfolding with the seven generation Burgundian family of Domaine Faiveley purchasing a majority interest in Williams Selyem in 2024. They are committed to preserving the integrity of what has made Williams Selyem great. Domaine Faiveley will be celebrating their bicentennial this year, demonstrating their ongoing dedication to tradition and respect for the land they farm.

The wines in this release from the 2023 vintage are classics in the making. The coolness of the vintage, coupled with our elegant style, together reach new qualitative heights and I hope that you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed making them. We continue to work with some of the best vineyards that have made these wines beloved icons. In this release we also are introducing a new Zinfandel from the historic Belloni Vineyard with century-old vines that make a unique and distinctive wine.

All along, our List Members have known our commitment to excellence, and that is what has made us great. We owe our success to your trust in us and your faithfulness to our wines. I personally have heard many of your stories of how you have enjoyed Williams Selyem wines on birthdays, anniversaries, or even on a Tuesday night with pizza and how memorable it was. We are grateful that you have and will continue to enjoy our wines. Thank you!

Vintage Summary

We experienced a welcome sense of normality in 2023, after tumultuous weather patterns during previous growing seasons, including drought conditions, heat events, and hail. This vintage began auspiciously with historical average rainfall and modest temperatures at the start of bud break. Ample sunshine and early heat resulted in even growth of the canopies, creating uniformity and balance as the vines entered the flowering cycle. While it was similarly cool at the outset of 2011, the 2023 heat units built slowly, and the weather was ideal by May. The flowering period was quick, and the fruit set bountiful. The weather was perfect in June and July, with a few heat spikes that kept the plants healthy and sustained. Mid-season crop adjustments were necessary to ensure good vine balance as veraison approached. With the cooler start to the vintage and the normal fog pattern of August, the ripening cycle slowed, and the crop achieved ideal hang time for tannin development at modest sugars. Across the board, the wines exhibit terrific purity of character with excellent tannin resolution. While hot and dry years can create wines of shocking intensity, these cooler vintages showcase the elegant style of Williams Selyem., and all in all a terrific vintage with aging potential.

– Jeff Mangahas, VP/Director of Winemaking

Tasting Notes

All prices unchanged from last year

Pinot Noir – Elegant

2023 Central Coast Pinot Noir
$49, 13.4% alc., San Benito County
Lush red cherry fruit opens this blend, complemented by wood spices and fresh vanilla bean. The Central Coast Pinot Noir is sourced from younger vines at the Vista Verde Vineyard, where blocks are selected for their contribution of fruity freshness. When combined with Vista Verde’s typical minerality and balanced tannins, we are rewarded with a wine that is deliciously approachable.

2023 Sonoma County Pinot Noir
$49, 13.7% alc., Sonoma County
The incredible diversity of our growing region is evident in this blend’s assemblage of vineyard lots. The flavors show remarkable synergy while showcasing the unique characteristics of each vineyard source. Dried lavender and rose potpourri aromas of the Williams Selyem Estate blend harmoniously with fresh herbal tarragon notes from Rochioli Riverblock. Rounding out the nose are red fruit and citrus rind scents from Drake Estate and Laguna Ranch. The components from Martaella and Olivet Lane Vineyards carry the palate, giving it both acidic freshness and substantial tannins. We hope you enjoy this blend as an introduction to our portfolio of Pinot Noirs. It is a wine that can be shared and enjoyed on any occasion.

2023 Terra de Promissio Vineyard Pinot Noir
$78, 13.5% alc., Sonoma Coast
Perfumed notes of dried herbs and Chinese five spice jump from the glass. The typical red fruit flavors of blood orange and Bing cherry harmonize with earthy mushroom and cedar shavings notes. The dusty tannins and moderate acidity are attributed to the vineyard’s long and cool growing season due to its proximity to San Pablo Bay. This Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast AVA exemplifies the balance and finesse of the 2023 vintage.

Pinot Noir – Medium-Bodied

2023 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
$70, 14.1% alc., Mendocino County
This is our second vintage crafting the Anderson Valley blend from three distinct vineyard sites. The wine highlights pennyroyal and subtle fir-tip notes that are representative of the region. Fresh herb notes complement blueberry and plum flavors. The palate is full of fine-grain tannins, which are chased by delicate acidity and subtle bitterness that elegantly punctuate the finish.

2023 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
$70, 13.8% alc., Russian River Valley
This alluring wine opens with notes of sarsaparilla, Bing cherries, and ripe wild strawberries. Do not let the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir’s seductive introduction fool you, it is a complex wine. Layered notes of anise and dried sage encourage the drinker to explore the depth of flavors in the glass. The palate beautifully combines citrus and tea notes with velvety tannins and a lengthy finish.

2023 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
$70, 13.6% alc., Sonoma Coast
The Sonoma Coast blend showcases the brooding, fog-laden terroir of our coastal vineyard sites. The initial nose of this wine is all about sous bois (forest floor) and savory herbal notes. Pomegranate and plum flavors dominate the palate, giving way to firm tannins that signal to its cool-climate growing region. The finish is rich and concentrated, with a pleasant taste of bittersweet chocolate.

2023 Martaella Vineyard Pinot Noir
$78, 13.8% alc., Russian River Valley
Our third vintage from the Martaella Vineyard illustrates the dark and brooding nature of the Russian River Valley terroir. The nose is an enticing play between Earl Grey tea and ripe blueberry with subtle leather notes. Hints of cloves and orange zest balance the flavors of black cherry and dark plum. Planted to a higher density vine spacing, this concentrated wine delivers a lingering, mouth-coating finish.

2023 Olivet Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir
$90, 14.1% alc., Russian River Valley
Sourced entirely from a block of Martini-clone Pinot Noir, this thick-skinned clone’s signature character is dark and brooding, with leather and English breakfast tea aromas predominating. Cinnamon and balsam flavors are supported by red raspberry and cranberry fruit. The texture of this wine is substantial, with tea-like tannins resulting in a long and memorable finish.

2023 Westside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir
$90, 14.0% alc., Russian River Valley
The nose is layered with blueberry and black cherry fruit and warm spices of nutmeg and allspice in this gorgeous vintage of our classic blend. Subtle confectionary notes of almond paste and spiced plum jam are reminiscent of holiday fruitcake. Cola and star anise flavors join in creating a multi-dimensional treat in the glass. The palate is rich with soft cocoa-like tannins and a textbook mineral finish.

Pinot Noir – Full-Bodied

2023 Eastside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir
$72, 13.9% alc., Russian River Valley
A dark, brooding counterpoint to our Westside Road Neighbors blend, the Eastside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir is sourced from vineyards that contribute to the dark fruit character of boysenberry and blackberry compote. Red spruce and dried mint leaf aromas add to the brambly character of this wine. It has dense tannins and medium acidity, which will pair well with rich braised meat dishes. An excellent follow up to the 2022 vintage that garnered the #8 wine of the year from Wine Spectator.

Zinfandel

2023 Belloni Vineyard Zinfandel
$72, 15.1% alc., Russian River Valley
The Belloni Vineyard is an exciting new release from vines planted around 1900 that still produce magnificent fruit. Situated in a prime location on Wood Road in the town of Fulton, Belloni is among the great old vineyards in Sonoma County. Planted to mostly Zinfandel, this is a classic field blend with Alicante Bouchet, Carignan, Petite Sirah, and many other varieties interspersed in the field. Made famous by Joel Peterson and Ravenswood, this wine is a classic, with black fruit character on the nose and highlights of poached stone fruit, anise, and wood spices. Owing to the diversity in the field, the wine showcases a multifaceted and complex aroma and palate. Black fruit flavors give way to earthy and five-spice notes. The concentration is compelling and is highlighted with refined tannin and well-balanced acidity that exudes elegance. A serious Zinfandel from a classic site that is sure to wow.

2023 Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard Zinfandel
$72, 14.8% alc., Russian River Valley
Right off the bat, this wine’s vibrant violet-red hue hints that it is destined to be a standout! Spice notes of sassafras and nutmeg complement bright boysenberry and stone fruit aromas. The Fanucchi-Wood Road Zinfandel has racy acidity that is balanced by concentrated, polished tannins. Sourced from the remarkable 133-year-old vineyard on Wood Road, this wine is beautiful upon release but has qualities that will support many years of cellaring.

2023 Papera Vineyard Zinfandel
$72, 14.9% alc., Russian River Valley
This classic Zinfandel opens with intense orange zest and red currant aromas. Papera’s characteristic red raspberry and wild berry bush marry well with its cinnamon, clove, and peppercorn notes. As this wine continues to evolve in the glass, herbs de Provence and dried sage scents are highlighted. The harmonious play of dense tannins with mouthwatering acidity makes the 2023 Papera Zinfandel an exceptionally food-friendly wine.

Chardonnay

2023 Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay
$68, 13.7% alc., Russian River Valley
This layered wine showcases the beauty of the outstanding Heintz Vineyard in West Sonoma County. The cool growing region produces a wine that intertwines tropical and citrus fruit with aromas of crème brûlée and lemon curd. The palate evokes the region’s long history of apple farming, as this wine exudes flavors of yellow apple skin and baked apple pie. The fresh mineral finish is a hallmark characteristic of Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay. It can be enjoyed for many years to come.

2023 Unoaked Chardonnay
$45, 13.8% alc., Russian River Valley
The Unoaked Chardonnay opens with bursts of jasmine and honeysuckle floral notes, followed by delicate quince and stone fruit aromas. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and receiving weekly batonnage (lees stirring) during aging, the resulting wine has both weight and verve. Flavors of yellow apple and pear are emphasized by a texture reminiscent of pear skins. This wine is approachable upon release but deserves 2-3 years of cellaring.

Important Dates

MARCH 17: Shipping Begins to Hot States (AL, AZ, FL, GA, LA, NC, SC, TN, TX)
MARCH 31: Shipping Begins to All Other Areas
APRIL 1: Shipping Begins to California
APRIL 21-MAY 4: California Pickup, Williams Selyem Estate
MAY 2-4: New York Pickup, Millbrook Winery

Ordering Information

• Online ordering is strongly encouraged! To access your allocation, use the customized hyperlink in the email we’ll send to you on the opening day of the release or sign in via our website using your user credentials.
• Orders are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Allocations are not guaranteed; they represent the number of bottles available to you until the wine sells out (which is often before the last day to order). Please place your order as soon as possible for best order fulfillment.
• For bottles beyond your allocation, please use the wish list column. These requests will be filled, if possible, before the close of the release. You do not need to include payment for wish list wines. We will charge or invoice your account later if the request is filled.
• If paying by check, please send via mail to 7227 Westside Rd, Healdsburg CA 95448
• Order confirmations will be sent via email. Please verify your email address!
• Faxed or mailed orders submitted without payment will not be filled; phone and email orders are not accepted.

Shipping

• Unless otherwise specified or specifically requested, orders will begin shipping to “hot states” (AL, AZ, FL, GA, LA, NC, SC, TN, TX) on Monday, March 17, and our main ship date is Monday, March 31.
• Some states do not permit direct wine shipments, or they may limit the amount of wine we can ship to you. Please see our website for more details
• We require a valid shipping address (no PO Boxes) where someone 21+ years of age is available to sign for the package during regular business hours.

Wine Pickup

CALIFORNIA

• Wine orders will be available for pickup at the WS Estate from Monday, April 21 – Sunday, May 4. Please select the ‘CA Pickup’ option and we will reach out to schedule your pickup.

THIRD-PARTY PICKUP

• WS does not apply a shipping/handling charge for CA Pickups going to third-party vendors. Handling fees may be added by the vendor; see your contract or contact them directly for more info.
• You must establish an account with the third-party vendor of your choice prior to order pickup.
• Please also note that these vendors do not allow pickups from their location.

NEW YORK

• The dates for the Pickup Event in Millbrook, NY are Friday, May 2 – Sunday, May 4. If you select this option, we will communicate event details with you via email as we get closer to the event. Address: 26 Wing Road, Millbrook, NY 12545; Phone: (845) 677-8383 ext. 21; Email address: millbrookwinery@millwine.com; Website: www.millbrookwine.com