Bray Vineyards

Bray Vineyards
10590 Shenandoah Road PO Box 87
Plymouth, California
USA 95669
Phone: 209-245-6023
http://www.brayvineyards.com

Contact: Oliver & Robin Bray
Email: [email protected]

In 1996 Oliver and Robin Bray established their vineyard on 50 acres of prime Shenandoah Valley vine land. Oliver and Robin would spend every weekend of those first few years driving back and forth from their home in Martinez to shape the land to their vision. They terraced the hills behind the winery to control erosion and allow the planting of vines. They removed huge boulders as they carefully prepared the land for their first plantings of Zinfandel and Sangiovese vines. They carefully preserved the seasonal creek that runs across the property, allowing the majestic oaks that line the banks to provide shelter for the hawks and owls that protect the vineyard from rodents.

By 2001, Bray Vineyards was supplying Zinfandel and Sangiovese grapes to well known local wineries like Vino Noceto and Montevina and making a name for themselves and their grapes. But Oliver and Robin had bigger plans. They wanted to open their own winery. So, just as they had applied themselves to farming, they now applied themselves to learning about wine making. From harvest to fermentation, from bottling to the tasting room to retail sales, they immersed themselves in the science and the lore wineries. In 2004, they brought in John Hoddy as their new winemaker and by April Bray Vineyards opened its doors to the public for the first time.

Their first hit was the whimsically named BrayZin Hussy Red. A blend of Zinfandel and Sangiovese that was pleasant and easy drinking. Normally, Bray wines have a very restrained label in black and gold, but being true to her nature, the BrayZin Hussy wont play the wall-flower! In 2010 they added BrayZin Hussy Blonde to their stable of wines. A fun blend of Viognier and Verdelho wines with a crisp flavor and luscious body.

The Brays expanded their vineyard by adding new types of grapevines. Concentrating on varieties that would not only please the customers, but would also show off the varietals that grew best in the Shenandoah Valley climate. Bray Vineyards grows 20 varieties of grapes on their estate, including Barbera, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Portuguese and Spanish varietals like Tempranillo, Verdelho, Souzao and Touriga. Grenache Noir and Mataro were recently grafted into a section of hillside vines with the promise of creating new, exciting blends as well as some classic wines.

With the introduction of all the Spanish and Portuguese grapes to the vineyard, Bray Vineyards has fully embraced a future that features the uncommon (at least in the U.S.) flavors of Iberian grapes and wines. Expanding the market for wines made from grapes such as Tempranillo (considered Spain's Noble grape) and Portugal's Verdelho (a white wine grape that truly loves the Foothill summer heat) is important to the Bray's because they want to share the joy of a new and different wine experience with their buyers and visitors.

The most recent addition to the Bray's line is a natural companion to both the wine and the land itself. Bray Vineyard's Extra Virgin Estate Grown olive oil is made from six varieties of olives grown on the property. Lucca, Frantoio, Manzanillo, Mission, Leccino, and Kalamata are cold pressed to extract only the best, highest quality portion of the oil.

In 2010, winemaker John Hoddy retired and passed his wine thief to their new winemaker, Mark McKenna, who had previously worked for Montevina winery. Mark has 15 years of harvests under his belt here in Amador county and the Bray Vineyards family expects great things from him in future vintages.

The Brays are proud of their winery, their wines, and their olive oil. They invite you to visit them, whether you come to the tasting room, to their website, or to the many events in northern California and Nevada where they pour wine. Welcome to the Heart of California's Shenandoah Valley!

Sacramento Bee Food and Wine Critic, Mike Dunne, wrote of the 2007 Barbera Rosato "The 2006 version of this rose was the sweepstakes winner at last summer's Amador County Fair Wine Competition. The 2007 expresses the same sort of strawberry and cherry freshness and the same sort of authoritative swagger, so it could end up a contender in this year's sweepstakes voting, as well. It handled the spice and complexity of Kung Pao Chicken with aplomb, but it also has an accessibility that makes it refreshing on its own."

The most recent addition to the Bray line is a natural companion to both the wine and the land itself. Bray Vineyard's Estate Grown Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made from six varities of olives grown on the property. Lucca, Frantoio, Manzanillo, Mission and Leccino are cold pressed to extract only the best, highest quality portion of the oil.

The Brays are proud of their winery, their wines and their olive oil. They invite you to visit them, whether you come to the tasting room, to their website, or to the many events in Northern California and Nevada where they pour wine. Welcome to the Heart of California's Shenandoah Valley!

Winemaker: John Hoddy

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