Unconventional by Nature - Winemaker Robert Morse

Terroir is everything, but so as they say is location, and sometimes those aren’t the same place. We have chosen to stay at our vineyard, winery and estate tasting room to allow our customers to experience our unigue terroir. Opposed to what might seem apparent by the concentration of valley wineries, the best vineyard sites are not necessarily alongside the pre-existing major thoroughfares.

In the Foothills, we can grow any warm climate varietals but focus on those that perform at their best in granitic soils. Italian and Rhone varietals benefit from our consistently ideal climate. Our vineyard and winery’s location straddles ridgelines above an elevation of 2000 ft, benefitting from cooling afternoon breezes, abundant sunshine and low yielding rocky soils resulting in our unique terroir.

The Il Gioiello, “the jewel,” name comes from the final home of famed astronomer and scientist Galileo Galilei. Our 2 Roads brand name was inspired by my favorite Robert Frost poem and Morse is my name and most importantly the name of my parents. All three have inspired a slightly different approach to my choices and my respect for integrity, honesty and hard work.

Our wines and winery reflect these values; unpretentious, no concentrates or additives, just wine grapes and great value wines. In my life, the right wine has always been the wingman of a good meal, not the star of the meal. I recall great meals far better than other pleasures and that is why we make “food wines”.

As the French proverb says, “to have a great meal, one requires great hunger”. Having 17 unique estate varietals and clones allow us to create complexity and balance in our wines difficult to achieve with single varietals.

When asked about my favorite wine, the answer is always the same, “what are we eating”. If I’m having a glass of wine without the benefit of food, our 2 Roads blends Crossroad and La Strada are soft, fruity and complex.

photo - courtesy photographer Randy Caparoso

Robert Foley, Winemaker

Robert (Bob) Foley began his winemaking career in the Napa Valley in 1977 after graduating from UC Davis with degrees in both Viticulture and Enology. His first year was spent at Heitz Cellars, followed by 15 years as the founding winemaker at Markham Vineyards.

In 1992, Foley embarked on another 15-year tenure as the founding winemaker at Pride Mountain Vineyards. During this time, he also crafted the highly acclaimed Switchback Ridge, Hourglass, Paloma, and School House wines. Currently, his primary focus is on the wines produced at Robert Foley Vineyards, though he also oversees the creations for Shelter, Padis Vineyards, Herson Family Vineyards, and JennaMarise Wines in Napa Valley.

In 1998, Robert Foley Vineyards bottled its flagship Claret and has since expanded its production to include a range of notable reds, such as Petite Sirah, Merlot, Charbono, and limited-release Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and Howell Mountain Merlot from their estate property. The portfolio also features Carneros Pinot Noir, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, and The Griffin, a blend that varies in varietal composition each vintage. Additionally, Foley has bottled a medium-bodied Chablis-style Chardonnay, a Syrah called Kelly's Cuvée, and a Port-style dessert wine named Conclusão.

Foley’s reputation for crafting expressive wines that finish gracefully continues to grow at his winery on Howell Mountain in Napa County. The facility, which houses over 1,000 barrels in an extensive cave system completed in 2008, supports the production of Robert Foley wines.

Robert Foley Vineyards operates with a full-time staff of three, with Foley himself focusing on winemaking, while Kelly and Shannon manage the office. Occasionally, Kelly’s father, Jerry, assists in the tasting room.

The feline Office Interns, Mina, Spike, and Jimmy da Kitten, are responsible for treats, naps, and distractions, while Princess Bella and King Tommy serve as the official Winery Cats.

Demetria Estate produces two separate portfolios of wines including, Burgundian varietals and Rhone-style blends that capture the singularity of the vineyards and the region from which they originated. The Burgundian offerings comprise of varietal honest manifestations of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, farmed sustainably in the Santa Rita Hills appellation of Santa Barbara County. The Rhone blends feature a rich, aromatic array of wines that are well-balanced, and intensely flavorful. The Rhone blends are styled after the famous Chateauneuf du Pape reds and are made from varieties of Syrah, Mourvedre, and Grenache. The white Rhone wines are blends of Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Grenache Blanc.

Image: Corks and Glass

Hatcher Winery was founded in 2002 by owner/winemaker Matthew Hatcher. His skills as a winemaker have put this winery on the map and the tasting room in Murphys is a very popular stop for wine lovers in the Sierra Foothills. Matthew Hatcher is the owner and winemaker, and his wine making talents have put Hatcher on the don't miss list of Foothill wineries.