A.P. VIN

Choose your next glass of wine wisely - it just might change your life.

Most everyone has had a glass of wine that has moved them - maybe it turned you on to a new varietal, sparked your interest in some far-off region, or made you rethink a past prejudice. A few years ago, Andrew Vingiello had a glass of Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highland's famed Pisoni vineyard that "hit him over the head" and launched him down a life altering journey.  After a few sips of that Pisoni, Andrew knew that simply enjoying great wine wasn't enough - no matter what it took he had to get out there and start making it (now that's one damn good glass of wine).

While that glass of Pisoni lit Andrew's fire, his years working in the electronic whirlwind of San Francisco's financial markets didn't prepare him much for the world of handcrafting premium wine and Andrew didn't really know where to start.  With his hopes set high, Andrew took his first steps down the long road to making premium Pinot Noir by simply getting on the phone with vintners using Santa Lucia Highlands fruit.  Andrew listened to anyone who would talk and about a million questions later he got a chance to help out at harvest with Brian Loring, whose Loring Wine Company lineup always includes a delicious "Garys' Vineyard" Pinot from Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni's prized piece of Santa Lucia Highlands dirt.

Andrew watched, listened, and soaked up everything he could in Brian's cellar and out in the expanding list of all-star vineyards teaming up with the Loring Wine Company.  With his eyes set on a commercial release for the 2003 harvest, Andrew began the year with a short wish-list of vineyard sources that included Garys' Vineyard perched at the top.  A few months later the stars aligned and Andrew got the opportunity he had been hoping for - this fall his A.P. VIN label will be sending out its first release of a stunning 2003 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot from Garys' Vineyard.

Andrew crafted the wine at the Loring Wine Company facility on the outskirts of Lompoc in true minimalist fashion as he didn't want to manipulate Gary Franscioni's hard work in the vineyard.  This debut release draws you in with intense dark cherry notes then rolls through your palate into delicious cola flavors - its practically tattooed with a Garys' birthmark.  Andrew's goal for this release was simply to make a wine that was unmistakably a Garys' - and he nailed it.

Andrew candidly admits that he didn't sleep a wink the night before he took the first bottle up for Gary Franscioni to taste.  As it turns out, Andrew had nothing to worry about as Gary gave him the ultimate vote of confidence - his own acre of Garys' fruit for the 2004 harvest.  Gary is also giving Andrew a shot at his second top-flight Pinot vineyard as he promised Andrew a ton or 2 of prime fruit from his "Rosella's" vineyard this upcoming harvest.

Apparently, Gary Franscioni isn't the only grower who has been impressed by Andrew's potential.  Peter Cargasacchi - a dedicated winegrower who is fueling Santa Barbara County's drive to become the benchmark for new world Pinot - has agreed to supply Andrew with fruit from his Jalama Road vineyard next year.  Peter originally planned to harvest fruit for Andrew from a newly planted block this year, but when the fruit wasn't coming along just the way he wanted Peter made the tough decision to hold off on harvesting for one more year to let the vines fully develop (btw - uncompromising decisions like this are part of the reason why Peter tends to some of the most sought after Pinot this side of the La Tâche).  Knowing that Peter's short term delay will only result in better fruit for years to come, Andrew has no problem waiting just a little bit longer to introduce his first wine from Santa Barbara County.

With Brian Loring's continued encouragement and more fruit born and raised in prized Central Coast vineyards, Andrew hopes to ramp up his tiny production to over 300 cases in 2004. Andrew's last few years have shown that he listens when opportunity knocks, so don't be surprised if you see additional vineyards come into the A.P. VIN stable in the coming vintages. While the distribution channels aren't set for A.P. VIN's debut release, if you can find a bottle you'll get to taste a textbook Garys' Pinot crafted by a very passionate young winemaker to keep an eye on in coming vintages.

Current Line-up

2003 Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir

(Santa Lucia Highlands)

Coming Attractions

Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir 

(Santa Lucia Highlands)

Jalama Road Vineyard Pinot Noir

(Santa Barbara County)

Contact

website:  www.apvin.com