Twomey Cellars

Twomey Cellars is well known for their Pinot Noirs and Merlots.  Twomey (pronounced to-me) was founded by the Duncan Family in 1999.  This is the same family that has owned Silver Oak Cellars since 1972.   They have two wineries, one in Calistoga and another in Healdsburg in the Russian River area.  The winery is named after Ray Duncan's mother, Velma Marie Twomey Duncan.  The current location in Calistoga is where the Stonegate Winery use to be and was purchased by the Duncan family in 2003.  It is just off Highway 29 on Dunaweal Lane.

Our tasting began with the Twomey Cellars 2010 Sauvignon Blanc at only $20 a bottle.  No malolactic conversion was used.  4,060 cases were produced. It was very smooth on the palate with mostly grapefruit but some melon and a medium length finish. The Twomey Cellars 2009 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir was $50.  It was aged for 15 months in French oak with 35% new oak.  1,100 cases were produced.  It was in the lighter, fruitier style with mostly strawberry and a good finish. I preferred the Twomey Cellars 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir at $50 which was aged for 14 months in French oak with 40% new oak being used.  2,645 cases were produced. This had good fruit, mostly blackberry, with floral notes and was very smooth, balanced and light with a great finish. We both liked the Twomey Cellars 2007 Merlot which was $50. It was 94% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon and saw 15 months in French oak with a third of this new oak.   I got mostly blackberry and black cherry with some chocolate and a good finish.  Along with the Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, it was our favorite of the four wines we sampled. Although their Russian River Pinot Noir was not available for tasting we bought some anyhow, largely based on how good the Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir was. Service was friendly, down to earth and very good.

Twomey Cellars
1183 Dunaweal Lane

Calistoga, CA 94515
(888) 505-4850

Date of visit: November 2, 2011