Sean Thackrey

Owner(s)	Sean Thackrey
Web site	www.wine-maker.net

Link to this site	How to link to an article or review about your winery..

Thackrey is an eccentric, some say maverick winemaker who crafts his distinctive wines at his home in the town of Bolinas. In his bib overalls, he strikes you as a farmer, but when you speak with him he impresses you as a scholar. If you visit his website, www.wine-maker.net, you will find a beautifully composed review of the history of the making and understanding of wine. It is derived from his over 600 volumes of old and ancient texts on wine that form his personal library. He uses these texts as inspiration for his winemaking in contradistinction to most winemakers who use the latest information from University of California Davis as their guide. The information provided on the website is a prodigious undertaking but reads clearly and is well-organized. If you want to find out about his wines, you have to look elsewhere! I believe the first vintage for Andromeda was 2002 and most people are surprised to find out that Thackrey crafts a Pinot Noir. His Devil’s Gulch Vineyard Pinot Noir is like no other Marin County wine with more heft and alcohol than any other. The wines are not described on the website and are sold to a mailing list with limited retail distribution.

Articles About Sean Thackrey

Devils Gulch Vineyard (7.10 1/14/2009)
Dutton-Goldfield: Upper Echelon (8.11 2/15/2010)
Marin County Pinot Noir Celebration (6.32 7/16/2007)
Memoirs of a Wine Trip Well-Taken (6.5 11/26/2006)

Reviewed Wines

2007 Andromeda Devil’s Gulch Ranch Marin County Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., $45. · Unusual aromatics featuring floral, particularly roseate, musk and sage scents. The pedigree of the fruit shows through on the palate with the fruitiness offset with notes of spice and edible flowers. Smoothly textured with soft tannins and respectable finesse. Failed to noticeably improve after two days from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, so I am not sure cellaring will significantly alter the wine. Very good (-). Reviewed February 15, 2010 ARTICLE »

2006 Sean Thackrery Andromeda Devils Gulch Ranch Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 50. · Quite a departure from the 2002 and 2004 vintages. Much lighter and redder in color. Subdued redder Pinot fruits on a light frame with moderate tannins that need to be shed. Savory herbs add interest. Reviewed January 14, 2009 ARTICLE »

2004 Sean Thackrey Andromeda Devil’s Gulch Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir

$60. I believe the first vintage for Andromeda was 2002 and most people are surprised to find out that Thackrey crafts a Pinot Noir. His Devil’s Gulch Vineyard Pinot Noir is like no other Marin County wine with more heft and alcohol than any other. Thackrey’s wines are sold through a few top wine retailers (use Thackrey’s wine finder feature on his website to locate) and to a mailing list. 40% of his wine is exported. The label at the right is for another of Thackrey’s wines, Orion, but the Andromeda label is very similar. · Hovering well over 15% alcohol, his Pinot Noir is heavy with thickly-layered dark fruit and a mouth coating finish. There are aromas and flavors here that defy description. Maybe some wooly mammoth or even pterodactyl. Loaded with teeth staining Pinot extract, it lends itself to sipping, much like a fine Port. Reviewed July 16, 2007 ARTICLE »

2004 Sean Thackrery Andromeda Devils Gulch Ranch Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir

15.3% alc., $80 on secondary market. · Similar to the 2002 vintage, but less fruity and fresher. Aromas of fermenting berries, herbs, sassafras and exotic wood. Rich, sweet black raspberry fruit that is well-collared with soft tannins and a long follow-through on a dry finish. The alcohol is nicely integrated. Reviewed January 14, 2009 ARTICLE »

2003 Sean Thackrey Andromedia Devil’s Gulch Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir

15.2% alc.. · A very unique style that has the imprint of winemaker Thackrey. Plenty to like here and the alcohol is fully integrated. Reviewed November 26, 2006 ARTICLE »

2002 Sean Thackrery Andromeda Devils Gulch Ranch Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir

15.1% alc., $50-$90 on secondary market. · Pleasing aromas of dark cherry syrup, black raspberries, chocolate, herbs and wet oak. Fully ripened fruit flavors including earth-dusted raspberries and raisins with a touch of aged dark oak in the background. Silky smooth in texture with a good acid cut at the end. This wine has aged gracefully. Reviewed January 14, 2009 ARTICLE »