Rhys Vineyards

Rhys Vineyards, founded by Kevin Harvey in 2004, has established itself as a prominent estate in the Santa Cruz Mountains, renowned for its exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. From its inception, Rhys has been committed to producing wines characterized by grace, balance, structure, and distinctiveness, qualities that have earned it recognition among the best American wine producers. The estate is often compared to some of the greatest domaines in Europe due to its commitment to terroir expression, grape variety selection, and winemaking philosophy. Harvey’s passion for Burgundy wines and his belief in the potential of certain California terroirs to produce wines of equal complexity and longevity inspired him to establish Rhys. His journey began with planting 35 Pinot Noir vines behind his home in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Encouraged by the quality of these initial wines, he expanded his vineyard holdings, seeking out the best terroirs in the region. His exploration led to the establishment of additional vineyard sites, each with unique soils and microclimates, including vineyards in Anderson Valley. Harvey’s dedication to site-specific expression has made Rhys a beacon for those who value distinctiveness in wine.

Rhys’ vineyards, each named for their unique attributes, include the Home Vineyard, which began with 35 vines and now spans 1.3 acres at 450-500 feet elevation. The vineyard’s sandstone soil from the Whiskey Hill formation produces Pinot Noir with earthy, layered complexity. Adjacent to Home Vineyard is Family Farm Vineyard, with its alluvial sand and clay soils yielding more powerful, floral, and long-lived Pinot Noir. The Alpine Vineyard, situated on the mountain’s exposed western slope at 1,200-1,490 feet elevation, is known for its steep, chalky Purisima formation soils that create mineral-rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, influenced by the cooling Pacific Ocean. Horseshoe Vineyard, slightly higher in elevation with shale and limestone soils, produces wines with great tension and focus. Skyline Vineyard, one of California’s highest vineyards at 2,360 feet, features ancient soils and produces Pinot Noir and Syrah known for their exotic aromatics and stunning minerality. In Mendocino County, Bearwallow Vineyard’s steep slopes and fractured shale, quartz, and sandstone soils contribute to wines with wild berry flavors and saline minerality.

Rhys employs a minimalist winemaking approach, utilizing gentle, gravity-fed processes in its 30,000-square-foot cave facility to preserve the natural characteristics of its vineyards. For Pinot Noir production, Rhys uses a high proportion of whole-cluster fruit, crushed by foot to maintain gentle handling. These wines are aged in Burgundy barrels, with restrained use of new oak to enhance rather than overpower the wine’s character. Chardonnay is whole-cluster pressed and allowed to ferment naturally over a year, without racking or stirring the lees, which promotes complexity and texture. Rhys emphasizes genetic diversity by planting a mix of California Heritage cuttings and suitcase clones, enhancing site expression and reducing the varietal signature, allowing the terroir’s voice to shine through. Harvey has conducted extensive research into the attributes of Burgundy’s great climats, applying these insights to Rhys’ vineyards. Detailed analysis of climate, soil, and vine density at each site helps in understanding and maximizing their potential. Rhys’ approach includes blind tastings of individually vinified parcels to assess their distinct characteristics.

Kevin Harvey’s vision for Rhys Vineyards is to demonstrate that California can produce wines with the same complexity, harmony, and longevity as those from historically great terroirs. Through meticulous vineyard management, innovative winemaking, and a dedication to expressing the essence of each site, Rhys has positioned itself at the forefront of what is possible in California wine today.