Pleasant Valley Vineyards

Owner(s)	Craig Handley, Kathy Handley
Web site	www.pvvines.com

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Pleasant Valley Vineyards was established by Craig and Cathy Handley in 2004 with the first commercial release in 2006. Craig had a career in the mushroom industry. Jack Czarnecki, chef of the famous Joe's Restaurant in Redding, PA, introduced him to Calera Pinot Noir and he was hooked. Initially Craig made wine for himself, his family and friends. His success combined with extensive research and study led him to begin making wines under his own label.

Nestled in its own private enclave, the Pleasant Valley family estate vines surround a cathedral grove of coastal redwoods. There are two petite vineyards of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay planted by the Handleys in 1995 with select Dijon clones from France. The property encompasses a five-acre bowl on the western ridge within Pleasant Valley in Aptos, California, a part of the Santa Cruz Mountains Appellation. Craig and Cathy Handley a like to say that “the Pinot Noir has passed through their hands at several stages in the process from soil to glass.” Their wines have been chosen to be poured at the the World of Pinot Noir. There are a number of musicians in the family, reflected in the unique label.

The first vintages of Pinot Noir have been very impressive. The wines are sold primarily through a mailing list and are also available on the website.

The wines are sold primarily through a mailing list and are available on the website.

Articles About Pleasant Valley Vineyards

On a High at Pinot Paradise Weekend (6.21 4/1/2007)
Pinot Paradise (7.16 4/18/2009)
Prince’s Excellent Adventure at WOPN (6.56 3/23/2008)
Sensations (6.61 7/7/2008)
Small Sips of Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir (8.5 11/13/2009)
Tasting Santa Cruz Pinot Noirz (7.14 3/15/2009)

Reviewed Wines

2007 Pleasant Valley Vineyards Dylan David Lester Family Vineyard (Deer Park) Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

Barrel sample. Clone 667. · Rich aromas of fresh berry jam and confected cherries draw you in. Delicious melange of red berries with a touch of citrus on the palate. Perfectly harmonious with no tannin to speak of and refreshing acidity to keep you reaching for another sip. A very seductive wine with tremendous upside potential. Reviewed March 15, 2009 ARTICLE »

2007 Pleasant Valley Vineyards Dylan David Reserve Lester Family Vineyards Thelma Henrietta’s Block Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

15.3% alc., $48. Clone 115, whole berry and whole cluster fermentation. Unfined and unfiltered. · Slightly confected dark red cherry and berry fruit aromas with a pleasing hint of oak and a touch of heat. Luscious in the mouth, finding every nook and cranny, and plush and softly textured. The tannins are reigned in and the oak nicely integrated letting the prodigious cherry and berry fruit shine. Very good, especially if you are a fan of this Caliesque style of Pinot Noir. Reviewed November 13, 2009 ARTICLE »

2006 Pleasant Valley Vineyards Dylan David Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

This wine was spectacular even at this early stage. Terrific smoky fruit core with a great peacock tail finish. The 2005 vintage of this wine is continuing to improve in the bottle and currently showing very nicely also. Reviewed March 23, 2008 ARTICLE »

2006 Pleasant Valley Vineyards Dylan David Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., pH 3.65, 75 cases, $85, released February 2009. From a small estate vineyard planted to Dijon clones in the Corralitos region of the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation. Dijon clones 113, 114, 115. Whole berry and whole cluster fruit. Aged 19 months in 100% new French oak barrels. · This is an outstanding example of the tremendous potential for Pinot Noir from this small growing region at the southern tip of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Rich, sumptuous crushed wild berries in the nose. Bursting with fresh raspberry flavor enhanced by subtle oak overtones. Endless echo of aromas and fruit on the finish. The alcohol is well-integrated from start to finish. Reviewed July 7, 2008 ARTICLE »

2006 Pleasant Valley Vineyards Dylan David Family Estate Reserve Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., $85. · Dreamy aromas of cherries, clove and cardamon spices, cola and red hard candy. The palate sings the same tune with raspberry flavors added in. The fruit is like bombs bursting in the air, coming in waves. Fresh, clean and impeccably balanced with complete integration of the alcohol. If you like clove, you will go ga-ga over this one. Reviewed March 15, 2009 ARTICLE »

2005 Pleasant Valley Vineyards Dylan David Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

(barrel sample). The Dijon clones seem to thrive in the Corralitos area and this wine shows off the bright fruits that result. · There is a lot going on in this wine including smoke, spice, white pepper, and the whole spectrum of Pinot fruits. Reviewed April 1, 2007 ARTICLE »

2005 Pleasant Valley Vineyards Dylan David Family Estate Reserve Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., $85. Unfined and unfiltered. · On the nose there are aromas of ripe black cherry fruit, stem and anise. The ripe fruit theme carries through on the palate with a vein of stemminess in the background. Soft tannins, lively acidity and refreshing citric tang on the finish. Reviewed March 15, 2009 ARTICLE »