Exploring and Expanding the Po�ibilitiesof the Carneros Region Since 1972

C A R N E R O S

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C A R N E R O S

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C A R N E R O S

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Index

Page 1: The Founders

Page 2: Our Winemaker

Page 3: Mahoney Vineyard Wines

Page 4: Fleur Wines

Page 5: Our Estate Vineyards

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C A R N E R O S

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Francis and Kathy Mahoney set out to realize a dream: to grow Pinot Noir that would stand

up to the French Burgundies. Although centuries of experience in French vineyards and

cellars has proven Pinot Noir to be a most difficult varietal to nurture, the Mahoneys

decided to challenge the possibilities in Northern California’s soil and climate.

Francis was captivated by the concept of terroir – the influence of soil, wind, fog, sun exposure,

and rainfall on the style of wine they produced. Turning his focus towards the undiscovered

“Los Carneros” region in the southern portion of Napa and Sonoma valleys, Francis felt that

conditions in this wind-swept countryside were ideal for Pinot Noir to thrive. So it was here

that the Mahoneys set their roots.

On a modest budget, a small, functional winery (Carneros Creek Winery) was built in 1972 and the Mahoneys’ search for

the ultimate Pinot Noir began in earnest. With Kathy in the office managing orders, compliance, staff, and finances, Francis

took to the vineyards where his intuition led him to the realization that truly great wines are primarily the result of foresight

in the vineyards. Francis used this premise as a framework around which his vineyards would be planted. Rather than

choosing Pinot Noir clones because of their propensity for high yields (a factor that played a major role in their lackluster

quality up until that time), Francis planted and studied clonal selections of Pinot Noir that had proven track records in

European vineyards along with some selections from California that lacked only the right climate and proper vineyard

management.

Using his Carneros vineyards as his laboratory, Francis, along with a team from U.C. Davis, began a tedious clonal

research project to better understand the intricacies of the more successful clonal selections. Over the course of that

twelve-year research project, it became evident that the best Pinot Noir was not to be found in a single clonal selection.

Each of the clones had unique flavor, structure, and aromatic characteristics and each had its own preference for vineyard

location, pruning techniques, watering regime, soil type, sun exposure, barrel and bottle aging.

Calling on his experience in the cellars of Burgundy, the profile of superb Pinot Noir ingrained in his memory, Francis

began blending the clones together like the colors on an artist’s palette, to create the distinctive styles of Pinot Noir now

showcased at the Mahoney Vineyards. The Mahoneys continue to expand the possibilities of the Carneros region as they

explore other exciting varieties with origins in the Old World.

THE FOUNDERS - FRANCIS & KATHY MAHONEY

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C A R N E R O S

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Francis Mahoney appointed Ken Foster, veteran Pinot Noir Winemaker, to oversee

production at Mahoney Vineyards in June, 2002. The former Winemaker/Production

Manager at David Bruce Winery in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains, Ken had been

making wine there for 15 years. Ken was an instrumental factor in changing the focus

of that winery from Chardonnay to Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel. By focusing

on small-lot production, Ken emphasized gentle handling and separation of small wine

lots for potential vineyard designate as well as appellation-labeled wines.

Ken joined David Bruce in 1987 to work crush after undergraduate studies in geology

sparked his interest in the ability to translate the qualities of a particular vineyard site

into the characteristics evident in the finished wine. During his tenure, he gained

experience with Pinot Noir drawn from fifty different vineyards and a dozen

appellations. “At Mahoney, it’s great to have vineyards within a 15-minute drive of my home so I can stay on top of

grapes as they develop. I also can draw on Francis’ rich history – his pioneering clonal trials and his more than three

decades of experience in the vineyards.”

Foster’s hiring further strengthened Mahoney’s Pinot Noir program and the wine quality enhancements instituted by

previous winemaker, Scott Rich. These enhancements included the use of small, open-top fermenters, inventive oak

barrel regimes and small-lot processing. “Ken is the perfect person to drive our quality to new heights”, Francis

remarked. “He brings a wide range of experience and a commitment to exceptional winemaking.”

True to his name, Ken nurtures the fruit from vineyard to bottle. His intricate knowledge of the technical side of

winemaking is perfectly complemented by his superb palate and an acute sense of how his wines will develop in barrel

and bottle. Ken’s philosophy is to emphasize the varietal character of the wines rather than masking them with an

over-abundance of oak tannins or other winemaking tricks-of-the-trade. Staying true to the appellation and the natural

character of the fruit, Ken assists the wines in their development rather than forcing them to bend to his will. The end

result is a lineup of wines whose varietal charm and Carneros heritage are clearly evidenced with each and every sip.

THE WINEMAKER - KEN FOSTER

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C A R N E R O S

AndTHE WINES OF MAHONEY VINEYARDS

Las Brisas V i n e y a r d

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Old-World Varietals with a Carneros Heritage

In his travels abroad, Francis is always keen to sample the local wines alongside the regional foods they are meant to accompany.

While visiting his wife’s family in Liguria, Italy and his daughter while at school in Spain, Francis encountered some lesser

known varietals that he felt would be marvelous companions to his Carneros Classics. Each of these varietals is scarcely

planted in California and their total Carneros acerage is miniscule or non-existent. With Ken Foster’s assistance, Francis has

developed his Old-World varietal program to include: Albariño, Vermentino, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Tempranillo, Syrah,

Sangiovese, and an Italian blend (Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo) called Misto di Carneros. What else is in store for

fans of the Mahoney Vineyards? Only time will tell.

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The Carneros Classics

Since his earliest days of winemaking, Francis

Mahoney has primarily focused on creating

the wines of Burgundy, France with a Carneros

flare. Mahoney Vineyards currently produces

three distinct styles of estate Pinot Noir and an

estate Chardonnay. All of the wines from

Mahoney Vineyards show their “sense of

place” that clearly identifies them as Carneros

grown. The Carneros Classics are fruit

forward, balanced and structured, wines that

are food-friendly. These wines truly represent

their varietal characteristic while maintaining

that unique Carneros “sense of place”.

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C A R N E R O S

AndTHE Fleur Wines

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Since the first release of Fleur Pinot Noir in 1987, Francis Mahoney has continually strived to bring to the market a line of high-quality,

value-priced wines. In this endeavor, Francis has three major assets working in his favor: he owns some exciting and proven

vineyards; he has maintained long-term relationships with local growers; and he has by his side a brilliant winemaker with a great deal

of expertise and experience. By utilizing these assets to their fullest potential, Francis has been able to resist the temptation to raise

prices, while actually increasing the quality of all the Fleur wines.

Chardonnay - Nor th Coast

With a nose full of apricots, honeysuckle and Comice pear, this beautiful wine delivers on the palate. No mouth

full of oak here, the sur lies aging adds a creamy-soft texture is perfectly melded with ample flavors of peach

and fresh pear.

Pet i te S i rah - Nor th Coast

Deep and dark in color with a beautiful hint of blueberries and lavender on the nose, once in the mouth, this

Petite Sirah explodes in flavors of blackberries, vanilla, spice and a hint of black pepper that finishes smooth

yet bright.

Pinot Noir Rosé - Nor th CoastThis lovely Rosé combines the typical Carneros Pinot Noir floral and fruit aromas with a mouthful of fresh

strawberry and honeysuckle. The wine has a fresh mouth-watering finish that cleanses the palate. A perfect

summertime wine!

Pinot Noir - Carneros

Generous aromas of pomegranate and bright red fruit, with hints of white pepper and spice. This deep ruby

red Pinot is well-balanced with distinctive Carneros fruit flavors and a broad palate that defies its price point.

Pinot Noir - Centra l Coast

The distinctive Central Coast Pinot Noir aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and earthy notes set the stage for a

smooth and well-balanced mouthful of ripe berries and a harmonious combination of acidity and structure.

2009

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C A R N E R O S

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Las Brisas Vineyard

Aptly named, this 110-acre vineyard is often shrouded in fog until around noon when cooling breezes blow in from the

Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay. These maritime breezes generally subside around seven on summer evenings.

Located a half mile south of the Carneros Highway (121/12) on the Sonoma side of the appellation, this property

gently slopes to the west and tilts like a table with a short leg on the

southwest corner. The gentle grade, with only a 50-foot overall

drop in elevation, promotes uniform ripening. The soils are mainly

sandy silt with a layer of gravel from an old stream bed and one

area of black clay. A wide variety of Pinot Noir clones and an array

of Italian and Spanish varieties are grown.

Mahoney Ranch

The vines of Mahoney Ranch hug

the ridgeline to the north of and 100

feet above the valley floor. A variety

of Pinot Noir clones like Beba,

Swan, Martini, UCD 12 and Dijon

667 are planted here in lighter soils. For the first time in Francis’ 40 years of farming, he will be planting Cabernet

Sauvignon in the most arid portions of the Mahoney Ranch. In all, 44 acres of vines snake east to west over hilltops

and through swales. The frequent fog burns off mid-morning and winds stir by noon only to fade again by five o’clock.

The intensity of the summer sun is felt on western exposures where a few acres of Vermentino prospers.

THE CARNEROS APPELLATION

Influenced by the cool afternoon/evening breezes of the Pacific

Ocean and a combination of summer fog, warm days, and a long

growing season, the Carneros region was the first wine region in the

U.S. created because of its unique terroir, rather than

state/county/city political boundaries. The Los Carneros Appellation

received its American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation in 1983.

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THE CARNEROS ESTATE VINEYARDS

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