Kosta Browne
Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir
Sonoma County
2023
Vintage
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Where it is, October 2026
Approaching Peak: the peak window is ahead.
Cellared records a drinking window beginning 2025, with a peak period from 2027 through 2031.
The ‘23 Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Kosta Browne Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 from Sonoma County, United States.
Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) drinking timeline
Storage and bottle condition can shift the experience.
The peak window sits inside the broader full drinking arc.
Tasting note
Kosta Browne's 2023 Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir opens with deep, brooding aromas of cassis, prune and damson plum, lifted by soft lavender florals and touches of French vanilla and cherry pie. The palate is mouthwatering and lush, with layered complexity building toward a long, seamless finish. Smooth, precise tannins frame flavors of cherry, chocolate and dark fruit, giving the wine both richness and grip. Built from the Pisoni clone grown on Chualar loam soil, the wine was fermented across a mix of stainless steel, concrete and oak with 4 to 7% whole cluster, then aged 16 months in 39% new French oak before a final month in stainless steel, at 14.3% alcohol. This is a dense, layered Pinot Noir with real structure behind its fruit.
The 2023 vintage
Kosta Browne's own winemaking notes describe 2023 as a standout vintage for this bottling. Note: Garys' Vineyard's official appellation is Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, not Sonoma Coast;
About Kosta Browne
Garys' Vineyard was established in 1997 through a collaboration between the Franscioni and Pisoni families, two of the most respected grower names in California Pinot Noir. Located in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA of Monterey County just south of Rosella's Vineyard, the site is planted with the Pisoni clone on Chualar loam soil using VSP trellising. Kosta Browne, founded in Sonoma County, sources this fruit as part of its Single Vineyard Series, built to express the distinct terroir of top California vineyard sites.
From the cellar: pair with
Duck breast with cherry reduction
The wine's own cherry pie and dark fruit notes create a direct echo with a cherry-based sauce, a classic Pinot Noir pairing.
Mushroom risotto
Earthy, umami-rich risotto complements Pinot Noir's savory side while the wine's acidity keeps the dish from feeling heavy.
Grilled lamb chops
The wine's smooth but present tannins and dark fruit concentration can stand up to lamb without overwhelming its delicate flavor.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 60-65F (16-18C)
- Decanting
- Open 20-30 minutes before serving, then taste and adjust.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), bottle on its side.
More from Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County
Frequently Asked
Is Garys' Vineyard in Sonoma or Monterey?
Garys' Vineyard is in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA of Monterey County, not Sonoma Coast, though Kosta Browne itself is based in Sonoma.
What clone of Pinot Noir is planted at Garys' Vineyard?
The Pisoni clone, planted on Chualar loam soil.
How is the wine aged?
16 months in 39% new French oak, followed by one additional month in stainless steel.
Who founded Garys' Vineyard?
It was established in 1997 through a partnership between the Franscioni and Pisoni families.