Vivier Wines

Owner(s) Dana Vivier, Stephané Vivier
Web site www.vivierwines.com
 
Link to this site
Vivier Wines

The husband and wife team of Stephané and Dana Vivier bring a Burgundian sensibility to wines made from California and Willamette Valley grapes. Winemaker Stephané grew up in Meloisey, Burgundy in the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune. He learned from a 70-year-old winegrower in Pommard. He obtained advanced degrees in viticulture and enology from Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, and subsequently worked in Switzerland, Sonoma and New Zealand. He was attracted to American vineyards where winemakers were not bound by tradition or AOC restrictions. Stephané became the winemaker at HdV (Hyde de Villaine) in 2002 and remains in that position.

Dana pursued an MBA in Finance and International Management at University of California at Davis. While working for an investment management company specializing in high-end vineyards, she moved to Napa and met Stephané and now brings the business acumen to their partnership.

The 2010 vintage produced three wines: Sonoma Coast, Willamette Valley and Sun Chase Vineyard Pinot Noir. The first two wines sold out quickly. A 2011 Sonoma Coast Rosé has been released. The wines are sold through a mailing list and website store.

Reviewed Wines

2013 Vivier Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $37. Sourced from vineyards in the Petaluma Gap region of the Sonoma Coast. Aged in French oak barrels without fining or filtration. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Very shy aromatics with only a peek of fruit and cedary oak. Middleweight flavors of purple and black fruits with balanced tannins and acidity. Pleasant, but nothing stands out. Check back in a year. Score: 87-88. Reviewed February 8, 2015 ARTICLE »

2011 Vivier Sonoma Coast Rosé of Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., $18. · Light orange-coral color in the glass. Delicate, but very attractive aromas of red berries and orange flower water. Tasteful core of strawberries, cranberries and blood oranges, offering moderate body, minor fine-grain tannins, and admirable persistence on the very dry finish. A superb Rosé. Very good. Reviewed July 23, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Vivier Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., sold out. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of black plum, black cherry, grape and spice. Middleweight flavors of darker fruits including black raspberries, with an accent of spice, oak and sauvage. A pretty, seamless wine. Very good. Reviewed July 23, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Vivier Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.9% alc., sold out. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of red stone fruits, spice green leaf and cut flowers. Slightly confected flavors of red raspberries and red cherries with a savory herbal thread running through. Medium weight with some tannic backbone and mild length on the finish which has a hint of aromatic oak. A solid, well-crafted wine, that has a slightly under ripe fruit character. Good. Reviewed July 23, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Vivier Sun Chase Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.9% alc. $54. From a vineyard in the Petaluma Gap region at 1200 feet elevation above the fog. Clone 777. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Complex nose offering a panoply of aromas including dark plums, blackberry jam, sassafras, and cardamom spice. Delicious essence of fresh dark berries, nicely spiced, with a hint of sous-bois, dried rose petal and oak. Moderately rich and nicely balanced, with a velvety texture. Ready for current drinking, but will age. Still terrific the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle when my wife and I polished the bottle off. Reviewed July 23, 2012 ARTICLE »

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